Methods and materials for examining pathways associated with glioblastoma progression

ABSTRACT

The invention disclosed herein provides methods for the examination and/or quantification of biochemical pathways that are disregulated in pathologies such as cancer and to reagents and kits adapted for performing such methods.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority under Section 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/423,777 filed Nov. 5, 2002, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

[0002] This invention was made with support from U01 CA88127 from the National Cancer Institute/NIH and K08NS43147-01 from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH. The government may have certain rights to this invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention provides methods for the examination of biochemical pathways that are shown to be disregulated in pathologies such as cancer and to reagents adapted for performing these methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Cancers are the second most prevalent cause of death in the United States, causing 450,000 deaths per year. One in three Americans will develop cancer, and one in five will die of cancer. While substantial progress has been made in identifying some of the likely environmental and hereditary causes of cancer, there is a need for additional diagnostic and therapeutic modalities that target cancer and related diseases and disorders. In particular, there is for a need a greater understanding of the various biochemical pathways that are involved in disregulated cell growth such as cancer as this will allow for the development of improved diagnostic and therapeutic methods for identifying and treating pathological syndromes associated with such growth disregulation.

[0005] Biochemical pathways that are of particular interest in pathologies such as cancer are the PI3K/Akt and Ras/MAPK pathways. Specifically, deregulation of the PI3K/Akt and Ras/MAPK pathways occurs in many types of cancer (see, e.g., Vivanco et al., Nat Rev Cancer. 2: 489-501., 2002), including glioblastoma (GBM) (see, e.g., Vivanco et al., Nat Rev Cancer. 2: 489-501, 2002; Feldkamp et al., Journal of Neurooncology 35: 223-248, 1997; Mischel et al., Brain Pathology, January 13(1):52-61 2003). Because constitutively activated signal transduction cascades directly modulate biological behavior, and because new molecular approaches to cancer therapy focus on inhibiting these pathways (see, e.g., Sawyers et al., Curr Opin Genet Dev. 12: 111-5, 2002; Druker et al., Cancer Cell. 1: 31-6., 2002; Kilic et al., Cancer Res. 60: 5143-50, 2000; Neshat et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 98: 10314-9, 2001), it is critical that they be detected in patient biopsies. Traditionally, biochemical approaches such as Western blots and in vitro kinase assays have been required to assess activation of these pathways (see, e.g., Neshat et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 98: 10314-9, 2001; Ermoian et al., Clin Cancer Res. 8: 1100-6., 2002). However, these techniques are not feasible on routinely processed tissues such as formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded patient biopsy samples. Currently, the tools to identify activation pathways in patient biopsy material have not been fully developed. Development of such tools is critical to determine whether these pathway activations have prognostic significance, and to help stratify patients for targeted molecular therapy.

[0006] Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common malignant brain tumor of adults (and one of the most lethal of all cancers) is highly suited for this approach. GBMs have a set of defined molecular lesions with resultant signaling pathway disruptions. The tumor suppressor gene PTEN is altered in 30-40% of GBMs (see, e.g., Liu et al., Cancer Res. 57: 5254-7., 1997; Schmidt et al., J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 58: 1170-83., 1999; Smith et al., J Natl Cancer Inst. 93: 1246-56., 2001). Since the PTEN lipid phosphatase activity negatively regulates activation of the Akt pathway and its downstream effectors mTOR, FKHR and S6 (see, e.g., Vivanco et al., Nat Rev Cancer. 2: 489-501., 2002), it is possible that PTEN protein deficient GBMs would show coordinated activation of this pathway. Primary GBMs (those that arise as de novo grade IV tumors) also commonly over-express the oncogene EGFR, and its variant EGFRvIII, which activate signaling through both the RAS/MAPK and PI3K/Akt pathways. Therefore, it is also possible that EGFR and EGFRvIII expressing GBMs would show coordinate activation of the ERK and the Akt pathways. To date however, the relationship between these various pathways has not been delineated.

[0007] While researchers have identified a variety of genes and pathways involved in pathologies such as cancer, there is need in the art for additional tools to facilitate the analyses of the regulatory processes that are involved in disregulated cell growth. Moreover, an understanding of how the products of genes involved in disregulated cell growth interact in a larger context is needed for the development of improved diagnostic and therapeutic methods for identifying and treating pathological syndromes associated with growth disregulation. In particular, there remains a need to identify signal transduction events driving glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), and to identify markers useful for assessing progression or inhibition of GBM. The methods and reagents disclosed herein satisfy this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Deregulated activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway is common in cancers, including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Consequently, the assessment of this pathway is critical for stratifying patients for targeted kinase inhibitor therapy. The disclosure provided herein identifies a series of biomarkers that are associated with deregulated activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway as well as optimized methods for examining these markers. Consequently, the disclosure provided herein allows the examination of this pathway in cancers such as glioblastoma multiforme. Significantly, the disclosed methods for examining these markers are useful with a wide variety of tissue samples including formalin fixed, paraffin embedded biopsy samples. Various aspects of this disclosure are described in Choe et al., Cancer Res. 2003 Jun. 1 ;63(1 1):2742-6.

[0009] As disclosed herein, a series of PI3K/Akt pathway biomarkers associated with cancers such as glioblastoma multiforme can be examined using for example a series of antibodies such as phospho-specific antibodies. In typical methods, a mammalian cell such as a cell derived from a formalin fixed, paraffin embedded glioblastoma multiforme biopsy sample can be examined for evidence of PI3K/Akt pathway activation by examining a tissue sample containing this cell for the presence of: a phosphorylated S6 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1); a phosphorylated mTOR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 2); a phosphorylated FKHR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 3); a phosphorylated AKT polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 4); a phosphorylated ERK polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 8); or decreased levels of expression of the PTEN polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 5), wherein the presence of a phosphorylated S6, mTOR, FKHR, AKT or ERK polypeptide, or decreased levels of expression of the PTEN polypeptide, provides evidence of Akt pathway activation in the glioblastoma cell. Optionally the cell is examined for the presence of a plurality of characteristics such as a phosphorylated S6 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1) and decreased levels of expression of the PTEN polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 5). Certain embodiments of the invention comprise further methodological steps, the step of using the results of the examination to identify and/or assess a therapeutic agent that may be used to treat the glioblastoma such as the step of using the results of the examination to evaluate the effect of an mTOR inhibitor such as raparnycin or an analogue thereof or an EGFR inhibitor such as ZD-1839 or an analogue thereof on a glioblastoma cancer cell.

[0010] A preferred embodiment of the invention is a method for identifying a mammalian glioma tumor likely to respond or responsive to an EGFR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 7) inhibitor or an mTOR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 2) inhibitor, the method comprising examining a sample obtained from the tumor for: the expression of PTEN polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 5); and the presence of at least one of, a phosphorylated S6 ribosomal polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1); a EGFR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 7); a phosphorylated AKT polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 4); and a phosphorylated ERK polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 8), wherein decreased expression of PTEN polypeptide together with decreased phosphorylation of S6 ribosomal polypeptide in the sample, as compared to a control, identifies the glioma tumor as likely to respond or responsive to an mTOR inhibitor, and wherein decreased expression an of PTEN together with normal phosphorylation of S6 ribosomal polypeptide in the sample, as compared to a control, identifies the glioma tumor as not likely to respond or non-responsive to an mTOR inhibitor, and wherein normal or increased expression of PTEN and increased expression and/or activity of EGFR together with increased phosphorylation of AKT and/or phosphorylation of ERK identifies the glioma tumor as not likely to respond and/or non-responsive to an EGFR inhibitor.

[0011] Another embodiment of the invention is a kit for characterizing a mammalian glioma tumor or cell, the kit comprising: an antibody that binds PTEN (SEQ ID NO: 5); and/or an antibody that binds phosphorylated S6 ribosomal polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1); and/or an antibody that binds EFGR (SEQ ID NO: 7); and/or an antibody that binds phosphorylated AKT (SEQ ID NO: 4); and/or an antibody that binds phosphorylated ERK (SEQ ID NO: 8). Optionally the kit further includes an antibody that binds Ki-67 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 9), and/or p-H3 histone polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 10) and/or caspase-3 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 11). Typically the kit further comprises a secondary antibody which binds to one of the primary antibodies directed to these polypeptides. Optionally the kit comprises a plurality of antibodies that bind to the various polypeptides.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 shows the immunohistochemical expression of PTEN, p-Akt, p-mTOR, p-FKHR and p-S6 in GBM tumor samples. (A) Representative images demonstrating PTEN protein loss in tumors cells with retention of staining in vascular endothelium (0), diminished PTEN staining relative to the endothelium (1), and no evidence of PTEN protein loss (2). NC is the negative control. (B) Staining for p-Akt, p-mTOR, p-FKHR and p-S6 scored on a scale of 2 (strong), 1 (mild) and 0 (negative). NC represents negative controls.

[0013]FIG. 2 shows the immunohistochemical expression of EGFR, EGFRvIII and p-Erk in GBM tumor samples. (A) Representative images demonstrating diffuse EGFR, EGFRvIII and p-Erk positivity (+). Representative images of tumors lacking EGFR, EGFRvIII and p-ERK expression are also shown (−). NC represents the negative controls.

[0014]FIGS. 3A and 3B provide an illustration of the interaction between members of the PI3K/Akt pathway and kinase inhibitors in GBM tumor samples. FIG. 3A shows that rapamycin inhibits S6 phosphorylation in glioblastoma in vivo. FIG. 3B shows that the rapamycin-mediated inhibition of S6 phosphorylation correlates with diminished tumor proliferation. In this Figure, Ki-67, a marker of cellular proliferation was used to assess whether rapamycin-mediated inhibition of S6 had an effect on tumor growth.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Unless otherwise defined, all terms of art, notations and other scientific terminology used herein are intended to have the meanings commonly understood by those of skill in the art to which this invention pertains. In some cases, terms with commonly understood meanings are defined herein for clarity and/or for ready reference, and the inclusion of such definitions herein should not necessarily be construed to represent a substantial difference over what is generally understood in the art. The techniques and procedures described or referenced herein are generally well understood and commonly employed using conventional methodology by those skilled in the art, such as, for example, the widely utilized molecular cloning methodologies described in Ausubel et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Wiley Interscience Publishers, (1995). As appropriate, procedures involving the use of commercially available kits and reagents are generally carried out in accordance with manufacturer defined protocols and/or parameters unless otherwise noted.

[0016] “Mammal” for purposes of treatment or therapy refers to any animal classified as a mammal, including humans, domestic and farm animals, and zoo, sports, or pet animals, such as dogs, horses, cats, cows, etc. Preferably, the mammal is human.

[0017] The terms “cancer”, “cancerous”, or “malignant” refer to or describe the physiological condition in mammals that is typically characterized by unregulated cell growth. Examples of cancer include but are not limited to astrocytoma, blastoma, carcinoma, glioblastoma, leukemia, lymphoma and sarcoma. More particular examples of such cancers include breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, colorectal cancer, rectal cancer, squamous cell cancer, small-cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, testicular cancer, esophageal cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, renal cancer, pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma, cervical cancer, glioma, liver cancer, bladder cancer, hepatoma, endometrial carcinoma, salivary gland carcinoma, kidney cancer, liver cancer, prostate cancer, vulval cancer, thyroid cancer, hepatic carcinoma and various types of head and neck cancer.

[0018] “Growth inhibition” when used herein refers to the growth inhibition of a cell in vitro and/or in vivo. The inhibition of cell growth can be measured by a wide variety of methods known in the art. A “growth inhibitory agent” when used herein refers to a compound or composition which inhibits growth of a cell in vitro and/or in vivo. Thus, the growth inhibitory agent may be one which significantly reduces the percentage of cells in S phase. Examples of growth inhibitory agents include agents that block cell cycle progression (at a place other than S phase), such as agents that induce G1 arrest and M-phase arrest. Classical M-phase blockers include the vincas (vincristine and vinblastine), TAXOL®, and topo II inhibitors such as doxorubicin, epirubicin, daunorubicin, etoposide, and bleomycin. Those agents that arrest G1 also spill over into S-phase arrest, for example, DNA alkylating agents such as tamoxifen, prednisone, dacarbazine, mechloretharine, cisplatin, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, and ara-C. Such agents further include inhibitors of cellular pathways associated with disregulated cell growth such as the PI3K/Akt pathway. Further information can be found in The Molecular Basis of Cancer, Mendelsohn and Israel, eds., Chapter 1, entitled “Cell cycle regulation, oncogenes, and antineoplastic drugs” by Murakami et al (W B Saunders: Philadelphia, 1995).

[0019] “Treatment” or “therapy” refer to both therapeutic treatment and prophylactic or preventative measures. The term “therapeutically effective amount” refers to an amount of a drug effective to treat a disease or disorder in a mammal. In the case of cancer, the therapeutically effective amount of the drug may reduce the number of cancer cells; reduce the tumor size; inhibit (i.e., slow to some extent and preferably stop) cancer cell infiltration into peripheral organs; inhibit (ie., slow to some extent and preferably stop) tumor metastasis; inhibit, to some extent, tumor growth; and/or relieve to some extent one or more of the symptoms associated with the disorder. To the extent the drug may prevent growth and/or kill existing cancer cells, it may be cytostatic and/or cytotoxic. For cancer therapy, efficacy in vivo can, for example, be measured by assessing tumor burden or volume, the time to disease progression (TTP)) and/or determining the response rates (RR).

[0020] The term “antibody” is used in the broadest sense and specifically covers single monoclonal antibodies and antibody compositions with polyepitopic specificity (e.g. polyclonal antibodies) as well as antibody fragments so long as retain their ability to immunospecifically recognize a target polypeptide epitope.

[0021] The term “monoclonal antibody” as used herein refers to an antibody obtained from a population of substantially homogeneous antibodies, ie., the individual antibodies comprising the population are identical except for possible naturally occurring mutations that may be present in minor amounts. Monoclonal antibodies are highly specific, being directed against a single antigenic site. Furthermore, in contrast to conventional (polyclonal) antibody preparations which typically include different antibodies directed against different determinants (epitopes), each monoclonal antibody is directed against a single determinant on the antigen. In addition to their specificity, the monoclonal antibodies are advantageous in that they are synthesized by the hybridoma culture, uncontaminated by other immunoglobulins. The modifier “monoclonal” indicates the character of the antibody as being obtained from a substantially homogeneous population of antibodies, and is not to be construed as requiring production of the antibody by any particular method. For example, the monoclonal antibodies to be used in accordance with the present invention may be made by the hybridoma method first described by Kohler et al., Nature, 256:495 (1975), or may be made by recombinant DNA methods (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567). The “monoclonal antibodies” may also be isolated from phage antibody libraries using the techniques described in Clackson et al., Nature, 352:624-628 (1991) and Marks et al., J. Mol. Biol., 222:581-597 (1991), for example.

[0022] As used herein, the term “polynucleotide” means a polymeric form of nucleotides of at least 10 bases or base pairs in length, either ribonucleotides or deoxynucleotides or a modified form of either type of nucleotide, and is meant to include single and double stranded forms of DNA and/or RNA. In the art, this term if often used interchangeably with “oligonucleotide”. A polynucleotide can comprise a nucleotide sequence disclosed herein wherein thymidine (T) can also be uracil (U); this definition pertains to the differences between the chemical structures of DNA and RNA, in particular the observation that one of the four major bases in RNA is uracil (U) instead of thymidine (T).

[0023] As used herein, the term “polypeptide” means a polymer of at least about 10 amino acids. Throughout the specification, standard three letter or single letter designations for amino acids are used. In the art, this term is often used interchangeably with “protein”.

[0024] As used herein, the term “inhibitor” encompasses molecules capable of inhibiting one or more of the biological activities of target molecules such as mTOR and/or EGFR polypeptide. Illustrative inhibitors include the targeted small-molecule inhibitors and antibody inhibitors disclosed herein as well as other inhibitors known in the art such as anti-sense polynucleotides and siRNA. Consequently one skilled in the art will appreciate that such inhibitors encompass molecules which inhibit both polynucleotide synthesis and/or function (e.g. antisense polynucleotide molecules) as well those which inhibit polypeptide synthesis and/or function (e.g. molecules which block phosphorylation and hence activity of a target polypeptide such as mTOR).

[0025] Physiological Processes Pertinent to the Invention

[0026] The disclosure provided herein identifies a series of biomarkers that are associated with deregulated activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway, a pathway whose deregulated activation is common in cancers such as gliomas. The disclosure provided herein further provides optimized methods for examining these biomarkers. Consequently, the disclosure allows the examination of the activation status of these biomarkers in cancers such as glioblastoma multiforme. Significantly, the disclosed methods for examining these biomarkers are useful with a wide variety of tissue samples including formalin fixed, paraffin embedded biopsy samples. As disclosed herein, these markers can be examined using a panel of antibodies such as phospho-specific antibodies. In these methods, a mammalian cell such as a cell derived from a formalin fixed, paraffin embedded glioblastoma multiforme biopsy sample can be examined for evidence of Akt pathway activation by examining a tissue sample containing this cell for the presence of the various target molecules disclosed herein including phosphorylated polypeptides. Certain embodiments of the invention identify and/or assess a therapeutic agent that may be used to treat the glioblastoma such as rapamycin or an analogue thereof or an EGFR inhibitor such as ZD-1839 or an analogue thereof.

[0027] As noted above, the invention disclosed herein provides methods and immunohistochemical reagents that can be used to identify the activation state of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in clinical samples such as glioblastoma biopsy samples. These methods and reagents identify a coordinate regulation of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in response to loss of the PTEN tumor suppressor gene. As specific kinase inhibitors that target this pathway are currently in development (see, e.g., Neshat et al., Proc Nad Acad Sci USA. 98: 10314-9, 2001), and further because this mutation is common in glioblastoma and prostate cancer, this disclosure provides an important clinical tool for selecting patients for appropriate therapy. In this context, the invention can be practiced by performing immunohistochemical analysis on routinely processed patient biopsy samples. The results of these assays can be used as criteria for inclusion in clinical trials, and to assess outcome differences in patients in which this pathway is deregulated.

[0028] The methods and reagents disclosed herein can be used to determine the activation state of biomarker polypeptides such as Akt and its downstream effectors such as mTOR, ERK, Forkhead and S6-kinase on routinely processed patient biopsy samples (e.g. glioblastoma samples) and this information can be used to select patients for therapy with targeted pathway inhibitors. As disclosed herein, the invention has been tested on a tissue microarray derived from biopsies from 48 glioblastoma patients. The results demonstrate clear coordinate regulation of Akt, mTOR, forkhead and S6-kinase, and their association with PTEN loss. A detailed discussion of the biomarkers and the physiological processes pertinent to the invention is provided below.

[0029] Activation of PI3K by growth factor signaling catalyzes the formation of phosphatidylinositol triphosphate (PIP3) by addition of a phosphate group to phosphoinositol bisphosphate (PIP2). PIP3 catalyzes the activation of the Akt kinase (and its downstream effectors mTOR, forkhead and S6-kinase), which promote cell proliferation and survival. The PTEN tumor suppressor gene encodes a phosphatase that removes the phosphate group from PIP3, thereby regulating the activation state of this pathway. PTEN loss results in constitutive signaling through PIP3, and hence unregulated activation of the Akt pathway.

[0030] PTEN is lost in many types of cancer including glioblastomas and cancers of the prostate. In addition, the Akt pathway is dysregulated in many other cancers. PTEN-deficient cancer cells are dramatically more sensitive to inhibition of the Akt pathway at the level of mTOR (see, e.g., Neshat et al., Proc Nad Acad Sci USA. 98: 10314-9, 2001), than PTEN wild-type cells, including non-cancerous cells. Therefore, mTOR inhibitors can be a highly selective and effective therapy for patients whose tumors have PTEN loss and Akt pathway activation. All prior knowledge of the PTEN/PI3K/Akt pathway is based on biochemical data and genomic analysis, which are not feasible as a clinical screening tool. Currently, there are no methods for detection of the activation state of this pathway in routinely processed formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded patient biopsy samples. Consequently, the ability to identify the activation state of this pathway in such clinical samples, and to select patients for its inhibition is a valuable diagnostic tool. This is also valuable tool for the analyses of inhibitors that target this pathway.

[0031] As specifically disclosed herein we demonstrate that P13′K/Akt pathway activation can be detected in routinely processed GBM patient biopsies. We demonstrate that PTEN loss is significantly correlated with Akt activation, which is significantly associated with activation of downstream effectors mTOR, S6 and FKHR. We have also shown that PTEN loss is not the only mechanism of PI3′K/Akt pathway activation, and demonstrated that EGFR and EGFRvIII co-expression are significantly associated with activation of this pathway. Finally, we demonstrate that PI3K/Akt and Erk pathway activation have significant impact on GBM patient progression and survival. These data provides evidence that this set of tools can be used to stratify GBM patients for targeted molecular therapy.

[0032] The epidermal growth receptor factor receptor contributes to the malignant phenotype of human glioblastomas (see, e.g. Thomas et al., Int J Cancer. 2003 Mar. 10;104(1):19-27). Studies in SKMG-3 cells, a GBM cell line that maintains EGFR gene amplification in vitro demonstrate that EGF treatment stimulated phosphorylation of the EGFR as well as the downstream effectors Erk, AKT1, stat3 and c-Cbl. Under minimal growth conditions, unstimulated SKMG-3 cells contain constitutively phosphorylated Erk and AKTI. The EGFR kinase inhibitor PD158780 reduces the constitutive phosphorylation of the receptor and Erk but not that of AKT1. In contrast, inhibition of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) blocks the constitutive phosphorylation of Erk and AKT-1 but not the EGFR. The results provide evidence that signals from overexpressed EGFR contribute to the constitutive phosphorylation of Erk, but these signals may not required for the constitutive activation of PI3K or AKT1. See, e.g. Thomas et al., Int J Cancer. 2003 Mar. 10;104(1):19-27.

[0033] In addition, EGFR appears to play an important role in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer as shown for example by studies of the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor ZD1839 in metastatic colorectal cancer patients in which serial biopsies were taken pre- and posttreatment to assess biological activity (see, e.g. Daneshmand Clin Cancer Res. 2003 Jul.;9(7):2457-64). In these studies, paired biopsies were obtained from colorectal cancer patients before and after treatment. Posttreatment samples showed a statistically significant reduction in cancer cell proliferation. While all pretreatment samples showed strong staining for EGFR, loss of immunohistochemical staining for activated EGFR, phosphorylated Akt, and phosphorylated ERK in cancer cells was observed in some patients after treatment. See e.g., Daneshmand Clin Cancer Res. 2003 Jul.;9(7):2457-64.

[0034] The PI3′K/Akt pathway is commonly deregulated in GBMs, but its identification in routine biopsies has presented a challenge. In the face of new kinase inhibitors that target this pathway, the need for an assay that can be used to stratify patients for therapy has become critical. As disclosed herein, we demonstrate that activation of the PI3′K/Akt pathway can be detected by immunohistochemistry using a panel of phospho-specific antibodies. We show that 38% of untreated primary GBMs demonstrate evidence of PTEN protein loss, and that this is significantly associated with Akt activation. We further demonstrate that phosphorylation of Akt is significantly correlated with phosphorylation of downstream effectors mTOR, FKHR and S6. We show that PTEN loss is not the only mechanism underlying Akt pathway activation; phosphorylation of Akt, mTOR, S6 and FKHR are also associated with co-expression of EGFR and its constitutively active variant EGFRvIII. Finally, we demonstrate that activation of the PI3′K/Akt and Erk pathways is associated with shorter time to progression and diminished overall survival in GBM patients.

[0035] The disclosure provided herein demonstrates that PI3′K/Akt pathway activation can be detected in paraffin-embedded biopsy samples, and provides evidence that PTEN loss is highly correlated with Akt pathway activation in primary GBMs. These results also provide evidence that co-expression of EGFR and EGFRvIII can activate the PI3′K pathway in GBMs with normal PTEN immunohistochemical expression. The results further provide evidence that activation of these signaling pathways has considerable impact on GBM patient progression and survival.

[0036] The disclosure provided herein specifically demonstrates that the activation of the PI3′K/Akt pathway can be detected with phospho-specific antibodies in routinely processed patient biopsies. We show that PTEN-deficient GBMs have coordinated activation of the Akt pathway and its downstream effectors mTOR, FKHR and S6. We also show that GBMs co-expressing EGFR and EGFRvIII have activation of the PI3′K/Akt and Erk signaling pathways. Finally, we demonstrate that activation of these signal transduction pathways has prognostic importance. For example, primary GBM patients whose tumors are activated downstream of Akt, or at the level of ERK, have significantly shorter time to tumor progression and significantly diminished overall survival. These results define molecular subtypes of GBMs and may be used to stratify patients for targeted molecular therapy.

[0037] As disclosed in detail below, in illustrative analytical methods we generated a tissue microarray from 45 untreated primary GBM patient biopsies and analyzed the immunohistochemical expression of p-Akt and downstream effectors p-mTOR, p-FKHR and p-S6, as well as p-Erk. EGFR, EGFRvIII expression, and PTEN loss, all of which can promote activation of the PI3′K/Akt pathway, were also analyzed and association with PI3′K/Akt and Erk pathway activation were determined. The prognostic implications of PI3′K/Akt and Erk pathway activation were also analyzed.

[0038] In our analysis the loss of PTEN immunohistochemical expression was detected in 38% of GBMs. Diminished PTEN protein expression was significantly associated with phosphorylation of Akt (p<0.00001) and downstream effectors mTOR (p=0.04), FKHR (p=0.006) and S6 (p=0.001). PTEN protein loss was not associated with Erk activation, which is independent of PI3′K/Akt signaling. PTEN protein loss was not the only route to PI3′K/Akt pathway activation; co-expression of EGFR and EGFRvIII was significantly correlated with expression of p-Akt (p=0.06), p-mTOR (p=0.001), p-FKHR (p=0.002) and p-S6 (p=0.001) in GBMs with normal PTEN protein expression. EGFR and EGFRvIII co-expression was also associated with Erk activation (p=0.007). Concurrent phosphorylation of mTOR, FKHR and S6, was significantly associated with shorter time to progression (p=0.002) and decreased overall survival (p=0.02), as was Erk activation (p=0.04).

[0039] As noted above, the methods disclosed herein typically employ immunohistochemical analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis requires a subjective determination by pathologists. Proteomic approaches have the potential to be a more objective and sensitive methods and may become clinically feasible in the future (see, e.g., Liotta et al.,Jama. 286: 2211-4., 2001; Liotta et al., Breast Cancer Res. 2: 13-4, 2000; Petricoin et al., Lancet. 359: 572-7., 2002; Petricoin et al., Nat Rev Drug Discov. 1: 683-95., 2002). However, the current need to stratify patients for targeted therapy, and to assess molecular correlates of response to experimental targeted agents, dictates that we develop assays that work on routinely processed biopsy samples using currently accessible methods. Activated Akt can be detected by immunohistochemistry done on patient biopsies, and it has been suggested that it may have biological or prognostic implications (see, e.g., Gupta et al., Clin Cancer Res. 8: 885-92., 2002; Malik et al., Clin Cancer Res. 8: 1168-71., 2002). Complementary to previous studies, we demonstrate here that a panel of phospho-specific antibodies can be used to detect p-Akt and its downstream effectors in order to map PI3′K/Akt pathway activation. The high level of association between the downstream effector activation and Akt phosphorylation, provides evidence that we have accurately assessed this pathway. Further, our data showing that PI3′K/Akt pathway activation is associated with PTEN protein loss (see, e.g., Neshat et al., Proc Nail Acad Sci USA. 98: 10314-9., 2001; Ermoian et al., Clin Cancer Res. 8: 1100-6., 2002) or EGFR/EGFRvIII signaling, are highly consistent with recent in vitro and in animal models (see, e.g., Davies et al., Cancer Res. 59: 2551-6., 1999; Davies et al., Cancer Res. 58: 5285-90., 1998; Lorimer et al., Biochim Biophys Acta. 1538: 1-9., 2001; Moscatello et al., J Biol Chem. 273: 200-6., 1998), including a recent biochemical demonstration that PTEN protein level is inversely correlated with Akt activation in GBM patient biopsies (see, e.g., Ermoian et al., Clin Cancer Res. 8:1100-6., 2002).

[0040] Our finding that ERK and PI3′K/Akt pathway activation were associated with shorter time to progression and decreased overall survival is the first demonstration that pathway activation may have an impact on GBM patient prognosis. The data presented herein provides evidence that pathway activation status conveys important prognostic information. It is surprising that Akt activation was not significantly associated with progression or survival, while downstream activation at the level of mTOR, S6 and FKHR was. This result raises two possibilities. Either the p-Akt antibody is a less sensitive tool for detecting PI3′K/Akt pathway activation than is the panel of downstream phospho-specific antibodies. Alternatively, convergent inputs to mTOR, FKHR and S6 downstream of Akt, or in and Akt-independent fashion, may play an important role in modulating the biological behavior of GBMs. In line with this, concurrent Erk and Akt-mediated signaling may be required for optimal activation of p70 S6 kinase, and formation of p-S6 (see, e.g., Iijima et al., J Biol Chem. 277: 23065-75., 2002; Shi et al., J Biol Chem. 277: 15712-20., 2002). Similarly, Akt-independent mechanisms of mTOR and FKHR phosphorylation have been demonstrated (see, e.g., Gingras et al., Genes and Development. 15: 807-826., 2001; Burgering et al., Trends Biochem Sci. 27: 352-60., 2002). Using the disclosure provided herein and methods typically employed in the art one can determine whether these additional inputs play a role in modulating GBM behavior. For additional discussions of EGFR and Akt activity and inhibitors thereof, see, e.g. Bianco et al., Oncogene, 2003 May 8;22(18):2812-22; Yakes et al., Cancer Res. 2002 Jul. 15;62(14):4132-41; and She et al., Clin Cancer Res. 2003 Oct. 1;9(12):4340-6, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference

[0041] While the sample size of 45 patients is relatively modest, it was large enough to provide robust associations between PTEN loss and PI3′K/Akt pathway activation. Only untreated primary GBM patients were included in this study. Since treatment itself may modulate Erk and PI3′K/Akt pathway activation, this study design enabled us to better assess the association between pathway activation and upstream molecular events. Using the disclosure provided herein and methods typically employed in the art one can perform both retrospective, and prospective analyses of GBM patients (both treated and untreated) to further quantify the prognostic implications of pathway activation and to identify molecular correlates of response to therapy.

[0042] In order to address any subjectivity of immunohistochemical analysis all immunostains were interpreted independently by two neuropathologists, and by one of the neuropathologists at independent occasions, and the inter-rater and intra-rater agreement were high for all stains. This provides evidence that interpretation of these phospho-specific antibodies will be reproducible between independent pathologists. In the future, more objective methods such as proteomic analysis can replace these tools (see, e.g., Liotta et al., Jama. 286: 2211-4., 2001; Petricoin et al., Nat Rev Drug Discov. 1: 683-95., 2002). Nonetheless, the data presented here provides evidence that we can accurately assess these pathways using currently available methods, and provides evidence that one can stratify patients for therapy.

[0043] GBMs are among the most heterogeneous tumors, as has been previously shown (see, e.g., Cheng et al., J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 58: 120-8., 1999; Jung et al., J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 58: 993-9., 1999). This poses a problem for assessment of molecular alterations in GBMs, as well as for stratification of patients for targeted inhibitor therapy. Using the disclosure provided herein and methods typically employed in the art one can directly determine the extent of intra-tumor molecular heterogeneity for PTEN, EGFR and EGFRvIII and assess the impact of this on pathway activation, prognosis and response to therapy.

[0044] The methods of the invention are applicable to a wide variety of cancers where disregulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway is associated with a concurrent disregulation in cellular growth. As noted above, typical embodiments of the invention examine cellular pathways in the family of tumors termed “gliomas”. Briefly, the brain contains two major cell types: neurons and glia. Glial cells give rise to the family of tumors termed “gliomas”. There are several distinct types of tumors within this glioma grouping. These can range from very benign, slow-growing tumors to rapidly enlarging, highly malignant cancerous types. The most commonly occurring tumors within the glioma family are astocytomas, oligodendroglioma and ependymomas. In addition, some patients may have tumors with a mixed appearance. Astrocytomas are the most common type of glioma. These are tumors that occur within the brain tissue itself. Like all gliomas, astrocytomas can be located either superficially or deep within the brain and can affect critical structures. As they arise from the astrocyte cells (which serve as supporting elements of the brain), astrocytomas are generally infiltrative in nature.

[0045] As discussed in detail below, the World Health Organization (WHO) grading scheme is used to characterize this group of tumors. Briefly, in the World Health Organization grading system, grade I tumors are the least malignant. These tumors grow slowly and microscopically appear almost normal; surgery alone may be effective. Grade I tumors are often associated with long-term survival. Grade II tumors grow slightly faster than grade I tumors and have a slightly abnormal microscopic appearance. These tumors may invade surrounding normal tissue, and may recur as a grade II or higher tumor. Grade III tumors are malignant. These tumors contain actively reproducing abnormal cells and invade surrounding normal tissue. Grade III tumors frequently recur, often as grade IV tumors. Grade IV tumors are the most malignant and invade wide areas of surrounding normal tissue. These tumors reproduce rapidly, appear very unusual microscopically and are necrotic (have dead cells) in the center. Grade IV tumors cause new blood vessels to form, to help maintain their rapid growth. Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common grade IV tumor. For additional information see, e.g. Tatter S B , Wilson C B, Harsh G R IV. Neuroepithelial tumors of the adult brain. In Youmans J R, ed. Neurological Surgery, Fourth Edition, Vol. 4: Tumors. W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, pp. 2612-2684, 1995; Kleihues P, Burger P C, Scheithauer B W. The new WHO classification of brain tumours. Brain Pathology 3:255-68, 1993; Lopes M B S, VandenBerg S R, Scheithauer B W; The World Health Organization classification of nervous system tumors in experimental neuro-oncology. In A.J. Levine and H.H. Schmidek, eds. Molecular Genetics of Nervous System Tumors Wiley-Liss, New York, pp. 1-36, 1993.

[0046] Low-grade astrocytomas (Grades I/IV or II/IV) are termed benign and occur generally in children or young adults. These tumors carry a better prognosis than higher grade astrocytomas. Although the management of these low-grade astrocytomas can be controversial, those tumors which are surgically accessible are usually resected. One of the concerns with low-grade astrocytomas in adults is that they can undergo a malignant transformation and change into a higher-grade, or malignant tumor. The methods of the invention can be used to monitor such transformations. In astrocytomas grade I, normal karyotype is observed most frequently; among the cases with abnormal karyotypes, the most frequent chromosomal abnormalities loss of the X and Y sex-chromosomes; loss of 22q is found in 20-30% of astrocytomas; other abnormalities observed in low grade tumors include gains on chromosome 8q, 10p, and 12p, and losses on chromosomes 1p, 4q, 9p, 11p 16p, 18 and 19.

[0047] Anaplastic astrocytomas (Grade III/IV) are more aggressive tumors and, as such, are usually treated in a more radical fashion. In anaplastic astrocytomas, chromosome gains or losses are frequent: trisomy 7 (the most frequent), loss of chromosome 10, loss of chromosome 22, loss of 9p, 13q; other abnormalities, less frequently described are: gains of chromosomes 1q, 11q, 19, 20, and Xq.

[0048] Glioblastoma multiforme (Grade IV/IV) is the most malignant form of astrocytomas. Although these tumors can occur at almost any age, the peak incidence is between 50 and 70 years old. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is also called a high-grade glioma and is graded by pathologists as Grade IV/IV astrocytoma. These tumors mostly occur in adults with the peak incidence between 50 and 70 years of age. Generally the time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis is relatively short, usually just a few weeks. Glioblastomas typically show several chromosomal changes: by frequency order, gain of chromosome 7 (50-80% of glioblastomas), double minute chromosomes, total or partial monosomy for chromosome 10 (70% of tumors) associated with the later step in the progression of glioblastomas partial deletion of 9p is frequent (64% of tumors): 9pter-23; partial loss of 22q in 22q13 is frequently reported loss or deletion of chromosome 13, 13q14-q31 is found in some glioblastomas trisomy 19 was reported in glioblastomas by cytogenetic and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analysis; the loss of 19q in 19q13.2-qter was detected by loss of heterozygosity (LOH) studies in glioblastomas deletion of chromosome 4q, complete or partial gains of chromosome 20 has been described; gain or amplification of 12q14-q21 has been reported the loss of chromosome Y might be considered, when it occurs in addition to other clonal abnormalaties.

[0049] Oligodendrogliomas are benign, slow growing tumors that occur usually in young adults. Often these are located within the frontal lobes which can allow for a safe, complete operative resection. Many oligodendrogliomas contain calcium (little specks of bone) seen best on CT scans.

[0050] Certain embodiments of the invention include methods to obtain information used to identify a therapeutic agent for treating a cancer such as a glioblastoma in a human. For example, methods of the invention examine the levels of certain polypeptides (e.g. PTEN) and/or the phosphorylation state of certain polypeptides (e.g. S6) to obtain information on how the cancer cell will respond to rapamycin or a rapamycin analog. Rapamycin (also known as sirolimus or rapammune) is a macrolide, related to cyclosporin with immunosuppressive properties and antiproliferative activity in various human tumor cells lines and tumor xenograft models. Both rapamycin and rapamycin analogues with more favorable pharmaceutical properties, such as SDZ-RAD, CCI-779, RAD 001, Everolimus (Certican) and AP23573, are highly specific inhibitors of mTOR. As noted herein the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a downstream effector of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt (protein kinase B) signaling pathway that mediates cell survival and proliferation, and consequently is a target for anticancer therapeutic development. In essence, rapamycin and rapamycin analogues gain function by binding to the immunophilin FK506 binding protein 12 and the resultant complex inhibits the activity of mTOR. Because mTOR activates both the 40S ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70s6k) and the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein-1, rapamycin-like compounds block the actions of these downstream signaling elements, which results in cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. Rapamycin and its analogues also prevent cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) activation, inhibit retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation, and accelerate the turnover of cyclin D1, leading to a deficiency of active CDK4/cyclin D1 complexes, all of which potentially contribute to the prominent inhibitory effects of rapamycin at the G1/S boundary of the cell cycle. Rapamycin and rapamycin analogues have demonstrated impressive growth-inhibitory effects against a broad range of human cancers. For example, as noted herein, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) modulates key signaling pathways that promote uncontrolled proliferation of glioblastoma multiforme. In this context the methods of the invention can be used to examine the PI3K/Akt pathway and then select an appropriate therapeutic agent in cells having a deregulated PI3K/Akt pathway (e.g. rapamycin). For discussions of Rapamycin and its analogs, see, e.g. Mita et al., Clin Breast Cancer 2003 Jun.;4(2):126-37; Hosoi et al., Mol Pharmacol. 1998 November;54(5):815-24; Hidalgo et al., Oncogene. 2000 Dec. 27;19(56):6680-6; Alexandre et al., Bull Cancer. 1999 October;86(10):808-11; and Eshleman et al., Cancer Res. 2002 Dec. 15;62(24):7291-7.

[0051] Overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is also observed in a wide variety of cancers such as glioma and has frequently been correlated with poor prognosis, thus stimulating efforts to develop new cancer therapies that target EGFR. Monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors specifically targeting EGFR are the most well-studied and hold substantial promise of success. Several compounds of monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting EGFR have been studied and clinical trials are now underway to test the safety and efficacy of these targeting strategies in a variety of human cancers. Compounds that target the extracellular ligand-binding region of EGFR include antibodies such as Cetuximab (also known as Erbitux or IMC-C225). Other compounds such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors which target the intracellular domain of EGFR, include ZD-1839 (also known as gefitinib or Iressa), OSI-774 (also known as Erlotinibor or Tarceva), PD-153053, PD-168393 and CI-1033, have been studied in clinical settings alone or in combination with radiation or chemotherapy. In addition, compounds such as h-R3, ABX-EGF, EMD-55900 and ICR-62 have proved to be effective in targeting malignant cells alone or in combination with traditional therapies. The effects of ZD 1839 (Iressa) is currently being studied in clinical trails for patients with glioblastoma multiforme. In this context the methods of the invention can be used to examine the PI3K/Akt pathway and then select an appropriate therapeutic agent in cells that do not have a deregulated PI3K/Akt pathway (e.g. an EGFR inhibitor). For discussions of EGFR inhibitors see, e.g. Khalil et al., Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2003 June;3(3):367-80; Chakravarti et al., Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2003 Oct. 1;57(2 Suppl):S329; Wissner et al., Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2002 Oct. 21;12(20):2893-7; Ciardiello et al., Expert Opin Investig Drugs, 2002 June;11(6):755-68; De Bono et al., Trends Mol Med. 2002;8(4 Suppl):S19-26; and Cohen, Clin Colorectal Cancer. 2003 February;2(4):246-51.

[0052] Typical Methods of the Invention

[0053] The invention disclosed herein has a number of embodiments. Illustrative embodiments of the invention include methods which examine tumor samples such as formalin fixed, paraffin embedded glioblastoma multiforme biopsy samples for evidence of deregulated activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway. These methods involve examining the presence and/or phosphorylation status of the disclosed biomarkers that are associated with this pathway in order to identify and/or assess a therapeutic agent that may be useful in the treatment of a glioblastoma. As disclosed herein, the presence and/or phosphorylation status of the disclosed biomarkers serves as a marker or proxy of pathway activity.

[0054] Typically, the methods of the invention are used in evaluating the whether a tumor such as a glioma is likely to respond (i.e. is likely to exhibit growth inhibition) when contacted with an mTOR inhibitor or an EGFR inhibitor. In such embodiments, the presence and/or phosphorylation status of a biomarker polypeptide that is associated with the activation of a pathway (e.g. a phosphorylated S6 ribosomal polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1)) is examined to determine if the pathway is disregulated in that tumor and is therefore susceptible to inhibition by a inhibitor known to target that pathway. In such embodiments, the tumor is examined prior to its exposure to the inhibitor. Alternatively, the methods evaluate whether a tumor such as a glioma is responsive (i.e. exhibits growth inhibition) to an mTOR inhibitor or an EGFR inhibitor. In such embodiments, the activity of a biomarker polypeptide that is associated with the activation of a pathway (e.g. a phosphorylated S6 ribosomal polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1)) is examined after the tumor is exposed to the inhibitor to determine if the biomarkers in the pathway respond to exposure to the inhibitor.

[0055] One such embodiment of the invention is a method for identifying a mammalian glioma (e.g. glioblastoma multiforme) tumor likely to respond, is responsive to an EGFR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 7) inhibitor or an mTOR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 2) inhibitor, the method comprising examining a sample obtained from the tumor for: the expression of PTEN polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 5); and the presence of at least one of, a phosphorylated S6 ribosomal polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1); a EGFR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 7); a phosphorylated AKT polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 4); and a phosphorylated ERK polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 8), wherein decreased expression of PTEN polypeptide together with decreased phosphorylation of S6 ribosomal polypeptide in the sample, as compared to a control, identifies the glioma tumor as likely to respond or responsive to an mTOR inhibitor, and wherein decreased expression an of PTEN together with normal phosphorylation of S6 ribosomal polypeptide in the sample, as compared to a control, identifies the glioma tumor as not likely to respond or non-responsive to an mTOR inhibitor, and wherein normal or increased expression of PTEN and increased expression and/or activity of EGFR together with increased phosphorylation of AKT and/or phosphorylation of ERK identifies the glioma tumor as not likely to respond and/or is non-responsive to an EGFR inhibitor. Optionally, the phosphorylation of S6 ribosomal polypeptide is determined subsequent to contacting the tumor or sample with an mTOR inhibitor and/or the phosphorylation of AKT and/or ERK is determined subsequent to contacting the tumor or sample with an EGFR inhibitor. In illustrative embodiments, the mTOR inhibitor is rapamycin, SDZ-RAD, CCI-779, RAD 001, or AP23573 and the EGFR inhibitor is ZD-1839, OSI-774, PD-153053, PD-168393, IMC-C225 or CI-1033.

[0056] In typical methods, the expression of the biomarker polypeptides is examined using an antibody such as an antibody that binds an epitope comprising a phosphorylated serine residue at position 235 in SEQ ID NO: 1, an antibody that binds an epitope comprising a phosphorylated serine residue at position 473 in SEQ ID NO: 4, or an antibody that binds an epitope comprising a phosphorylated threonine residue at position 202 and tyrosine 204 in SEQ ID NO: 8. Optionally, the sample is a paraffin embedded biopsy sample.

[0057] Another embodiment of the invention is a method for identifying a mammalian glioma tumor that does not express a PTEN polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 5) and which is not likely to respond or is nonresponsive to an inhibitor of mTOR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 2) activity, the method comprising examining a sample obtained from the tumor for the presence of phosphorylated S6 ribosomal polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1) after contacting the tumor or the sample with the inhibitor, wherein, an observable decrease in phosphorylated S6 ribosomal polypeptide in the sample, as compared to a control that is not contacted with the inhibitor identifies the glioma tumor as likely to respond or responsive to the inhibitor, and wherein no observable decrease in phosphorylated S6 ribosomal polypeptide in the sample, as compared to a control identifies the glioma tumor as not likely to respond or nonresponsive to the inhibitor.

[0058] Yet another embodiment of the invention is a method for identifying a mammalian glioma tumor that expresses a PTEN polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 5) and which is not likely to respond or is nonresponsive to an inhibitor of EGFR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 7) activity, the method comprising examining a sample obtained from the tumor for the presence of EGFR (SEQ ID NO: 7) and the presence of a phosphorylated AKT polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 4) or the presence of a phosphorylated ERK polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 8) after contacting the tumor or the sample with the inhibitor, wherein an increase in the levels of the EGFR polypeptide and the levels of phosphorylated AKT polypeptide or phosphorylated ERK polypeptide identifies the glioma tumor as not likely to respond or nonresponsive to the inhibitor. Optionally, the sample obtained from the tumor is examined for the presence of a phosphorylated AKT polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 4) and the presence of a phosphorylated ERK polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 8).

[0059] As noted above, certain embodiments of the invention include the examination of the expression of a polypeptide or phosphorylation of a polypeptide. As is known in the art, the examination of such polypeptide expression and polypeptide phosphorylation status in a cell or tissue sample is typically evaluated as compared to a control, i.e. a control cell and/or tissue sample that has a defined or predetermined level of polypeptide expression or phosphorylation. In an example of polypeptide phosphorylation, a control can be a normal tissue (e.g. non cancerous glial cells) where it is observed that a polypeptide is typically not phosphorylated. In an example of polypeptide expression, Example 3 and FIG. 2 provided illustrative examples of the methods of the invention using such controls, in particular, a PTEN expression grading system known the art that uses vascular endothelium as a control. Specifically PTEN immunohistochemical staining (which is directly correlated with PTEN expression) is scored according to an established scale of 0-2, in which the vascular endothelium (score of 2) serves as an internal control. Tumor cells are graded as 2 if their staining intensity is equal to that of the vascular endothelium, 1 if it is diminished relative to the vascular endothelium, and 0 if it is undetectable in the tumor cells and present in the vascular endothelium. This scoring system, which has been shown to be highly consistent between different cancer cell types, including gliomas (as disclosed herein) and cancers of the breast, ovary, pancreas and colon, allows artisans to readily examine the expression levels of PTEN polypeptides in a sample such as a formalin fixed, paraffin embedded biopsy sample.

[0060] Additional embodiments of the invention include a method for identifying a mammalian glioblastoma multiforme cancer cell that does not express a PTEN polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 5) and which is likely to exhibit growth inhibition when contacted with an inhibitor of mTOR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 2) activity, the method comprising examining the cancer cell for the presence of phosphorylated S6 ribosomal polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1) after contacting the cancer cell with the inhibitor, wherein, an observable decrease in phosphorylated S6 ribosomal polypeptide in the sample, as compared to a control mammalian glioblastoma multiforme cancer cell that is not contacted with the inhibitor identifies the cancer cell as likely to exhibit growth inhibition when contacted with the inhibitor, and further wherein no observable decrease in phosphorylated S6 ribosomal polypeptide in the sample, as compared to a control mammalian cell identifies the cancer cell as not likely to exhibit growth inhibition when contacted with the inhibitor. In these methods, the inhibitor of mTOR polypeptide activity is optionally rapamycin, CCI-779, RAD 001, or AP23573. Typically, the expression of the PTEN polypeptide or the presence of phosphorylated S6 ribosomal polypeptide is examined using an antibody that binds the PTEN polypeptide or the phosphorylated S6 ribosomal polypeptide (e.g. an antibody that binds an epitope comprising a phosphorylated serine residue at position 235 in SEQ ID NO: 1). Preferably, the mammalian glioblastoma multiforme cancer cell is obtained from a paraffin embedded biopsy sample.

[0061] Another embodiment of the invention is a method for identifying a mammalian glioblastoma multiforme cancer cell that expresses a PTEN polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 5) and which is not likely to exhibit growth inhibition when contacted with inhibitor of EGFR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 7) activity, the method comprising examining the cancer cell for the presence of EGFR (SEQ ID NO: 7), the presence of a phosphorylated AKT polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 4) or a the presence of a phosphorylated ERK polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 8), wherein an increase in the levels of the EGFR polypeptide and the levels of phosphorylated AKT polypeptide or phosphorylated ERK polypeptide identifies the cancer cell as not likely to exhibit growth inhibition when contacted with inhibitor of the EGFR polypeptide. In these methods, the inhibitor of EGFR activity is optionally ZD-1839, OSI-774, PD-153053, PD-168393 or CI-1033. Typically, the expression of the PTEN polypeptide or the presence of EGFR polypeptide is examined using an antibody that binds the PTEN polypeptide or the EGFR polypeptide. Optionally, the presence of phosphorylated AKT is examined using an antibody that binds an epitope comprising a phosphorylated serine residue at position 473 in SEQ ID NO: 4 and the presence of phosphorylated ERK is examined using an antibody that binds an epitope comprising a phosphorylated threonine residue at position 202 or a phosphorylated tyrosine residue at position 204 in SEQ ID NO: 8. In illustrative methods, the mammalian glioblastoma multiforme cancer cell is obtained from a paraffin embedded biopsy sample.

[0062] Another embodiment of the invention is a method for determining the responsiveness of a mammalian glioblastoma cell to a growth inhibitory agent selected from the group consisting of a EGFR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 7) inhibitor or an mTOR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 2) inhibitor, the method comprising examining the glioblastoma cell for the presence of a S6 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1) having a phosphorylated serine, threonine or tyrosine residue; a mTOR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 2) having a phosphorylated serine, threonine or tyrosine residue; a FKHR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 3) having a phosphorylated serine, threonine or tyrosine residue; a AKT polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 4) having a phosphorylated serine, threonine or tyrosine residue; a ERK polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 8) having a phosphorylated serine, threonine or tyrosine residue; or the expression of the PTEN polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 5), wherein the presence of a phosphorylated S6, mTOR, FKHR, AKT or ERK polypeptide, or decreased levels of expression of the PTEN polypeptide in the glioblastoma cell relative to a control mammalian vascular endothelial cell determines the responsiveness of the mammalian glioblastoma cell to the growth inhibitory agent. Optionally in such methods, the mammalian glioblastoma cell has been contacted with the growth inhibitory agent. Alternatively, the mammalian glioblastoma cell has not been contacted with the growth inhibitory agent.

[0063] Yet another embodiment of the invention is a method to obtain information used to identify a therapeutic agent for treating glioblastoma in a human, the method comprising examining a glioblastoma cell obtained from the human for the presence of: a S6 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1) having a phosphorylated serine, threonine or tyrosine residue; a mTOR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 2) having a phosphorylated serine, threonine or tyrosine residue; a FKHR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 3) having a phosphorylated serine, threonine or tyrosine residue; a AKT polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 4) having a phosphorylated serine, threonine or tyrosine residue; or decreased levels of expression of the PTEN polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 5), wherein the presence of a phosphorylated S6, mTOR, FKHR or AKT polypeptide, or decreased levels of expression of the PTEN polypeptide in the glioblastoma cell provides information used to identify a therapeutic agent for treating the glioblastoma in the human. Optionally in this method, the glioblastoma cell is examined for the presence of a plurality of these characteristics. In one such embodiment, the glioblastoma cell is examined for the presence of a S6 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1) having a phosphorylated serine, threonine or tyrosine residue and decreased levels of expression of the PTEN polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 5). Optionally the glioblastoma cell is in a paraffin embedded biopsy sample.

[0064] As noted above, embodiments of the invention typically utilize antibodies that specifically bind phosphorylated polypeptides, i.e. polypeptides having a phosphorylated serine, threonine or tyrosine residue. In this context the disclosure provides antibodies that bind to specific epitopes comprising a phosphorylated residue (e.g. serine at position 2481 in SEQ ID NO: 2). By utilizing antibodies that bind to an epitope that comprises a phosphorylated residue (i.e. phospho-specific antibodies) but which do not bind to the unphosphorylated form of the same polypeptide, these phospho-specific antibodies can be used to examine the activation status of a pathway, where the activation is associated with phosphorylation of one or more specified residues. In certain embodiments of the invention, the phosphorylation status and/or expression levels of multiple members of a signalling pathway (e.g. S6 and mTOR) are examined as a confirmatory assessment of the signalling cascade associated with the pathway.

[0065] Certain embodiments of the invention are used with formalin fixed, paraffin embedded biopsy samples. In particular, the disclosure provided herein demonstrates that antibodies such as phospho-specific antibodies can be used with antigen samples processed in this manner. Significantly, the disclosure provided herein further demonstrates that the methods using these samples provide an accurate demonstration of the physiological status of the pathways in these samples. Consequently, the disclosure provided herein demonstrates how the methods of the invention are well suited for use with commonly available clinical samples.

[0066] In one illustrative embodiment of the invention, the presence of a S6 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1) having a phosphorylated serine, threonine or tyrosine residue is examined using an antibody that binds an epitope comprising a phosphorylated serine residue at position 235 in SEQ ID NO: 1. In another illustrative embodiment of the invention, the presence of a mTOR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 2) having a phosphorylated serine, threonine or tyrosine residue is examined using an antibody that binds an epitope comprising a phosphorylated serine residue at position 2481 in SEQ ID NO: 2. In another illustrative embodiment of the invention, the presence of a FKHR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 3) having a phosphorylated serine, threonine or tyrosine residue is examined using an antibody that binds an epitope comprising a phosphorylated threonine residue at position 24 in SEQ ID NO: 3. In another illustrative embodiment of the invention, the presence of a AKT polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 4) having a phosphorylated serine, threonine or tyrosine residue is examined using an antibody that binds an epitope comprising a phosphorylated serine residue at position 473 in SEQ ID NO: 4. The expression levels and/or phosphorylation of additional polypeptide markers can also be examined. Illustrative example of such additional markers include Ki-67 (SEQ ID NO: 9) and p-H3 histone H3 (SEQ ID NO: 10).

[0067] Yet another embodiment of the invention is a method of examining a mammalian cell for evidence of Akt pathway activation comprising examining the mammalian cell for the presence of: a S6 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1) having a phosphorylated serine residue at position 235 in SEQ ID NO: 1; a mTOR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 2) having a phosphorylated serine residue at position 2481 in SEQ ID NO: 2; a FKHR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 3) having a phosphorylated threonine residue at position 24 in SEQ ID NO: 3; a AKT polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 4) having a phosphorylated serine residue at position 473 in SEQ ID NO: 4; or decreased levels of expression of the PTEN polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 5), wherein the presence of a phosphorylated S6, mTOR, FKHR or AKT polypeptide, or decreased levels of expression of the PTEN polypeptide evidence of Akt pathway activation in the mammalian cell. Optionally the mammalian cell is examined for the presence of a plurality of characteristics such as a S6 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1) having a phosphorylated serine residue at position 235 in SEQ ID NO: 1 and decreased levels of expression of the PTEN polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 5). Typically in this method, the mammalian cell is a cancer cell such as a cancer cell is of a glioblastoma lineage.

[0068] Certain embodiments of the invention comprise further methodological steps, for example using the results of the examination in a prognostic determination of tumor progression and/or using the results of the examination to identify the presence of a glioblastoma characterized by a short time from initial diagnosis to patient death. Optionally the further methodological steps include the step of using the results of the examination to identify a therapeutic agent for treating the glioblastoma such as the step of using the results of the examination to evaluate the effect of rapamycin on the glioblastoma cancer cell. Optionally the mammalian cell is in a paraffin embedded biopsy sample.

[0069] A preferred embodiment of the invention is a method of examining a mammalian cell for evidence of Akt pathway activation comprising using a phospho-specific antibody to examine the cell for the presence of a phosphorylated protein in the mammalian cell selected from the group consisting of mTOR, FKHR and S6, wherein the presence of a phosphorylated mTOR, FKHR or S6 protein in the mammalian cell provides evidence of Akt pathway activation. In highly preferred embodiments, the cell is examined for the concurrent phosphorylation of mTOR, FKHR S6 proteins. Such methods typically include an optional step of using a phospho-specific antibody to examine the cell for evidence of phosphorylation of a Akt protein in the mammalian cell. In such methods, the mammalian cell is typically a cancer cell that is present in a paraffin embedded biopsy sample. In highly preferred embodiments of the invention the cancer cell is of the glioblastoma lineage.

[0070] Yet another embodiment of the invention is a method of examining a mammalian cell for evidence of Erk pathway activation comprising using a phospho-specific antibody to examine the cell for presence of phosphorylated p-44/42 MAP kinase proteins in the cells, wherein the presence of phosphorylated p-44/42 MAP kinase proteins in the mammalian cell provides evidence of Erk pathway activation. In preferred methods, the mammalian cell is present in a paraffin embedded biopsy sample obtained from an individual suspected of suffering from glioblastoma.

[0071] Another embodiment of the invention is a method of examining a tissue sample for the presence of mammalian glioblastoma cells having a phenotype characterized by a shorter time to tumor progression comprising using phospho-specific antibodies to examine the cell for the presence of phosphorylated mTOR, FKHR and S6 proteins in the cells, wherein the presence of a phosphorylated mTOR, FKHR and S6 proteins in the mammalian cell provides evidence of the phenotype. A related embodiment of the invention is a method of examining a tissue sample for the presence of mammalian glioblastoma cells having a phenotype characterized by a short time from initial diagnosis to patient death comprising using phospho-specific antibodies to examine the cell for the presence of phosphorylated mTOR, FKHR and S6 proteins in the cells, wherein the presence of a phosphorylated mTOR, FKHR and S6 proteins in the mammalian cell provides evidence of the phenotype.

[0072] Another embodiment of the invention is a method of examining a tissue sample for the presence of mammalian glioblastoma cells having a phenotype characterized by a shorter time to tumor progression comprising using a phospho-specific antibody to examine the cell for the presence of phosphorylated Erk proteins in the cells, wherein the presence of a phosphorylated Erk proteins in the mammalian cell provides evidence of the phenotype. A related embodiment of the invention is a method of examining a tissue sample for the presence of mammalian glioblastoma cells having a phenotype characterized by a short time from initial diagnosis to patient death comprising using phospho-specific antibodies to examine the cell for the presence of phosphorylated p-44/42 MAP kinase proteins in the cells, wherein the presence of a phosphorylated p-44/42 MAP kinase proteins in the mammalian cell provides evidence of the phenotype.

[0073] Yet another embodiment of the invention is a method of obtaining information useful for identifying an appropriate therapeutic agent to use to treat an individual suffering from glioblastoma comprising examining a tissue sample from the patient for the presence of glioblastoma cells having a phosphorylated protein selected from the group consisting of mTOR, FKHR and S6, wherein the presence of a phosphorylated mTOR, FKHR or S6 protein in the mammalian cell provides information useful for identifying an appropriate therapeutic agent to use to treat an individual suffering from glioblastoma. In preferred embodiments of the invention the mammalian cell is examined for the presence of at least two and more preferably three phosphorylated proteins selected from the group consisting of mTOR, FKHR and S6. Typically the therapeutic agent is a kinase inhibitor of the Akt pathway.

[0074] Another embodiment of the invention is a method of obtaining information useful for identifying an appropriate therapeutic agent to use to treat an individual suffering from glioblastoma comprising examining a tissue sample from the patient for the presence of glioblastoma cells having phosphorylated Erk proteins, wherein the presence of phosphorylated Erk proteins in the mammalian cell provides information that can be used to identify an appropriate therapeutic agent to use to treat an individual suffering from glioblastoma.

[0075] Another embodiment of the invention is a method of examining a mammalian cell for evidence of Akt pathway activation comprising examining the cell for the expression of the EGFR and the EGFRvIII proteins, wherein the coexpression of the EGFR and the EGFRvIII proteins in the cell provides evidence of Akt pathway activation. A related embodiment of the invention is a method of examining a mammalian cell for evidence of Erk pathway activation comprising examining the cell for the expression of the EGFR and the EGFRvIII proteins, wherein the coexpression of the EGFR and the EGFRvIII proteins in the cell provides evidence of Erk pathway activation. Yet another embodiment of the invention is a method of examining a mammalian glioblastoma cell for evidence of Akt pathway activation, wherein the mammalian glioblastoma cell is obtained from a paraffin embedded biopsy sample, the method comprising examining the cell for decreased expression of the PTEN protein, wherein a decrease in the expression of the PTEN protein cell provides evidence of Akt pathway activation.

[0076] Articles of Manufacture of the Invention

[0077] Embodiments of the invention also include articles of manufacture and/or kits designed to facilitate the methods of the invention. Typically such kits include instructions for using the elements therein according to the methods of the present invention. Such kits can comprise a carrier means being compartmentalized to receive in close confinement one or more container means such as vials, tubes, and the like, each of the container means comprising one of the separate elements to be used in the method. For example, one of the container means can comprise one or more of the antibodies disclosed herein (an anti-S6 antibody for example) that is or can be detectably labeled with a marker. For kits utilizes immunological methods (e.g. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting) to detect the target proteins, the kit can also have containers containing buffers for these methods and/or containers comprising antibodies labelled with a reporter-means, such as a chromophore or radioactive molecule. In addition, for kits which utilize additional methodologies such as caspase-3 assays or tunel assays of apoptosis, additional reagents associated with these techniques can be further included in the kits.

[0078] In a typical embodiment of the invention, an article of manufacture containing materials useful for the examination of the disorders described above is provided. The article of manufacture comprises a container and a label. Suitable containers include, for example, bottles, vials, syringes, and test tubes. The containers may be formed from a variety of materials such as glass or plastic. The container can hold a composition (e.g. an antibody composition) which is effective for examining mammalian cells (e.g. glioblastoma cells). The label on, or associated with, the container indicates that the composition is used for examining cellular polypeptides. The article of manufacture may further comprise a second container comprising a buffer, such as phosphate-buffered saline, Ringer's solution and dextrose solution. It may further include other materials desirable from a commercial and user standpoint, including other buffers, diluents, filters, needles, syringes, and package inserts with instructions for use.

[0079] One such embodiment of the invention is a kit comprising at least one antibody selected from the group consisting of: an antibody that binds a S6 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1), wherein the S6 polypeptide epitope bound by the antibody comprises a phosphorylated serine, threonine or tyrosine residue; an antibody that binds a mTOR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 2), wherein the mTOR polypeptide epitope bound by the antibody comprises a phosphorylated serine, threonine or tyrosine residue; an antibody that binds a FKHR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 3), wherein the FKHR polypeptide epitope bound by the antibody comprises a phosphorylated serine, threonine or tyrosine residue; and an antibody that binds a AKT polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 4), wherein the AKT polypeptide epitope bound by the antibody comprises a phosphorylated serine, threonine or tyrosine residue; and wherein the kit further includes instructions for using the antibody to examining a mammalian cell for evidence of AKT pathway activation. Optionally the kit further comprises an antibody that binds a PTEN polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 5). The kits of the invention can further include antibodies to additional polypeptides such as Ki-67 (SEQ ID NO: 9) and p-H3 histone H3 (SEQ ID NO: 10).

[0080] Another embodiment of the invention is a kit comprising an antibody capable of immunospecifically binding a phosphorylated protein in a mammalian cell selected from the group consisting of phosphorylated Akt, mTOR, FKHR and S6 proteins and instructions for using the antibody to examining the mammalian cell for evidence of Akt pathway activation. In preferred methods, the kit comprises different antibodies, each of which is capable of immunospecifically binding 2, 3 or 4 phosphorylated proteins in a mammalian cell selected from the group consisting of phosphorylated Akt, mTOR, FKHR and S6 proteins. Another embodiment of the invention is a kit comprising an antibody capable of immunospecifically binding a phosphorylated p-44/42 MAP kinase proteins in a mammalian glioblastoma cell present in a paraffin embedded biopsy sample and instructions for using the antibody to examining the mammalian cell for evidence of Erk pathway activation.

[0081] Yet another embodiment of the invention is a kit for characterizing a mammalian glioblastoma (GBM) tumor or cell, the kit comprising: an antibody that binds PTEN (SEQ ID NO: 5) and at least on of the following: an antibody that binds phosphorylated S6 ribosomal protein (SEQ ID NO: 1); an antibody that binds EFGR (SEQ ID NO: 7); an antibody that binds phosphorylated AKT (SEQ ID NO: 4); and/or an antibody that binds phosphorylated ERK (SEQ ID NO: 8); and at least one secondary antibody that binds to the above noted primary antibodies. Optionally the kit comprises a plurality of these antibodies. In a specific embodiment, the kit includes an antibody specific for S6 ribosomal protein (SEQ ID NO: 1) having a phosphorylated serine residue at position 235 in SEQ ID NO: 1; an antibody specific for AKT (SEQ ID NO: 4) having a phosphorylated serine residue at position 473 in SEQ ID NO: 4; or an antibody specific for ERK (SEQ ID NO: 8) having a phosphorylated threonine residue at position 202 or a phosphorylated tyrosine residue at position 204 in SEQ ID NO: 8.

[0082] Another embodiment of the invention is a kit for characterizing a mammalian glioma tumor or cell, the kit comprising: an antibody that binds PTEN (SEQ ID NO: 5); an antibody that binds phosphorylated S6 ribosomal polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1); an antibody that binds EFGR (SEQ ID NO: 7); an antibody that binds phosphorylated AKT (SEQ ID NO: 4); an antibody that binds phosphorylated ERK (SEQ ID NO: 8). Typically the kit further comprises a secondary antibody which binds to one of the primary antibodies directed to these polypeptides. Optionally the kit comprises a plurality of antibodies such as an antibody specific for S6 ribosomal polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1) having a phosphorylated serine residue at position 235 in SEQ ID NO: 1, an antibody specific for AKT (SEQ ID NO: 4) having a phosphorylated serine residue at position 473 in SEQ ID NO: 4; or antibody specific for ERK having a phosphorylated threonine residue at position 202 and tyrosine 204 in SEQ ID NO: 8. Optionally the kit further includes an antibody that binds Ki-67 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 9), p-H3 histone polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 10) or caspase-3 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 11).

[0083] Typical Protocols Useful to the Practice of the Invention

[0084] The methods of the present invention typically utilize antibodies directed to polypeptides in the PI3K/Akt pathway. Illustrative antibody compositions useful in the present invention are anti-phosphoprotein antibodies characterized as containing antibody molecules that specifically immunoreacts with a phosphorylated form of a polypeptide associated with the PI3K/Akt pathway. The polypeptide may be for example, S6, mTOR, FKHR, AKT or PTEN. By “specifically immunoreacts”, it is meant that the antibody binds to the phosphorylated form of polypeptide (i.e. is phospho-specific) and does not bind to the unphosphorylated form of the same polypeptide. Consequently, the phosphorylation associated with pathway activation can be examined with such antibodies. Therefore, the antibodies of the invention can distinguish between the phosphorylated and unphosphorylated forms of a polypeptides associated with the PI3K/Akt pathway. Consequently, the phosphorylation associated with pathway activation can be examined with such antibodies. Typically the assays of the invention include immunohistochemical techniques using the antibodies disclosed herein. For example, a sample can be examined for the presence of a biochemical pathway associated phosphorylated polypeptide such as phosphorylated ERK by using an antibody that binds an epitope comprising a phosphorylated threonine residue at position 202 and tyrosine 204 in SEQ ID NO: 8.

[0085] 1. Antibodies

[0086] The antibodies useful in the invention may comprise polyclonal antibodies, for example affinity purified polyclonal antibodies. Methods of preparing polyclonal antibodies are known to the skilled artisan. Polyclonal antibodies can be raised in a mammal, for example, by one or more injections of an immunizing agent and, if desired, an adjuvant. Typically, the immunizing agent and/or adjuvant will be injected in the mammal by multiple subcutaneous or intraperitoneal injections. The immunizing agent may include the appropriate polypeptide epitopes (e.g. a S6 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1) having a phosphorylated serine, threonine or tyrosine residue, a mTOR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 2) having a phosphorylated serine, threonine or tyrosine residue, a FKHR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 3) having a phosphorylated serine, threonine or tyrosine residue, a ERK polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 8) having a phosphorylated serine, threonine or tyrosine residue, a AKT polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 4) having a phosphorylated serine, threonine or tyrosine residue, or a PTEN polypeptide) or a fusion protein thereof

[0087] In addition, it may be useful to conjugate the immunizing agent to a protein known to be immunogenic in the mammal being immunized. Examples of such immunogenic proteins include but are not limited to keyhole limpet hemocyanin, serum albumin, bovine thyroglobulin, and soybean trypsin inhibitor. Examples of adjuvants which may be employed include Freund's complete adjuvant and MPL-TDM adjuvant (monophosphoryl Lipid A, synthetic trehalose dicorynomycolate). The immunization protocol may be selected by one skilled in the art without undue experimentation.

[0088] The antibodies may, alternatively, be monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies may be prepared using hybridoma methods, such as those described by Kohler and Milstein, Nature, 256:495 (1975). In a hybridoma method, a mouse, hamster, or other appropriate host animal, is typically immunized with an immunizing agent to elicit lymphocytes that produce or are capable of producing antibodies that will specifically bind to the immunizing agent. Alternatively, the lymphocytes may be immunized in vitro.

[0089] The immunizing agent will typically include a phosphorylated S6, mTOR, FKHR, ERK or AKT polypeptide or PTEN polypeptide or a fusion protein thereof Generally, either peripheral blood lymphocytes (“PBLs”) are used if cells of human origin are desired, or spleen cells or lymph node cells are used if non-human mammalian sources are desired. The lymphocytes are then fused with an immortalized cell line using a suitable fusing agent, such as polyethylene glycol, to form a hybridoma cell (Goding, Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Practice, Academic Press, (1986) pp. 59-103). Immortalized cell lines are usually transformed mammalian cells, particularly myeloma cells of rodent, bovine and human origin. Usually, rat or mouse myeloma cell lines are employed. The hybridoma cells may be cultured in a suitable culture medium that preferably contains one or more substances that inhibit the growth or survival of the unfused, immortalized cells. For example, if the parental cells lack the enzyme hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT or HPRT), the culture medium for the hybridomas typically will include hypoxanthine, aminopterin, and thymidine (“RAT medium”), which substances prevent the growth of HGPRT-deficient cells.

[0090] Preferred immortalized cell lines are those that fuse efficiently, support stable high level expression of antibody by the selected antibody-producing cells, and are sensitive to a medium such as HAT medium. More preferred immortalized cell lines are murine myeloma lines, which can be obtained, for instance, from the Salk Institute Cell Distribution Center, San Diego, Calif. and the American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, Md. Human myeloma and mouse-human heteromyeloma cell lines also have been described for the production of human monoclonal antibodies (Kozbor, J. Immunol., 133:3001 (1984); Brodeur et al., Monoclonal Antibody Production Techniques and Applications, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, (1987) pp. 51-63).

[0091] The culture medium in which the hybridoma cells are cultured can then be assayed for the presence of monoclonal antibodies directed against phosphorylated S6, mTOR, FKHR, ERK or AKT polypeptides or PTEN and EGFR polypeptides. Preferably, the binding specificity of monoclonal antibodies produced by the hybridoma cells is determined by immunoprecipitation or by an in vitro binding assay, such as radioimmunoassay (RIA) or enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). Such techniques and assays are known in the art. The binding affinity of the monoclonal antibody can, for example, be determined by the Scatchard analysis of Munson and Pollard, Anal. Biochem., 107:220 (1980).

[0092] After the desired hybridoma cells are identified, the clones may be subcloned by limiting dilution procedures and grown by standard methods (Goding, supra). Suitable culture media for this purpose include, for example, Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium and RPMI-1640 medium. Alternatively, the hybridoma cells may be grown in vivo as ascites in a mammal. The monoclonal antibodies secreted by the subclones may be isolated or purified from the culture medium or ascites fluid by conventional immunoglobulin purification procedures such as, for example, protein A-Sepharose, hydroxylapatite chromatography, gel electrophoresis, dialysis, or affinity chromatography.

[0093] The monoclonal antibodies may also be made by recombinant DNA methods, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567. DNA encoding the monoclonal antibodies of the invention can be readily isolated and sequenced using conventional procedures (e.g., by using oligonucleotide probes that are capable of binding specifically to genes encoding the heavy and light chains of murine antibodies). The hybridoma cells of the invention serve as a preferred source of such DNA. Once isolated, the DNA may be placed into expression vectors, which are then transfected into host cells such as simian COS cells, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, or myeloma cells that do not otherwise produce immunoglobulin protein, to obtain the synthesis of monoclonal antibodies in the recombinant host cells. The DNA also may be modified, for example, by substituting the coding sequence for human heavy and light chain constant domains in place of the homologous murine sequences (U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; Morrison et al., supra) or by covalently joining to the immunoglobulin coding sequence all or part of the coding sequence for a non-immunoglobulin polypeptide. Such a non-immunoglobulin polypeptide can be substituted for the constant domains of an antibody of the invention, or can be substituted for the variable domains of one antigen-combining site of an antibody of the invention to create a chimeric bivalent antibody.

[0094] The antibodies may be monovalent antibodies. Methods for preparing monovalent antibodies are well known in the art. For example, one method involves recombinant expression of immunoglobulin light chain and modified heavy chain. The heavy chain is truncated generally at any point in the Fc region so as to prevent heavy chain crosslinking. Alternatively, the relevant cysteine residues are substituted with another amino acid residue or are deleted so as to prevent crosslinking.

[0095] In vitro methods are also suitable for preparing monovalent antibodies. Digestion of antibodies to produce fragments thereof, particularly, Fab fragments, can be accomplished using routine techniques known in the art.

[0096] Reactivity of antibodies with the cognate protein can be established by a number of well known means, including Western blot, immunoprecipitation, ELISA, and FACS analyses. A antibody or fragment thereof can be labeled with a detectable marker or conjugated to a second molecule. Suitable detectable markers include, but are not limited to, a radioisotope, a fluorescent compound, a bioluminescent compound, chemiluminescent compound, a metal chelator or an enzyme.

[0097] 2. Assays

[0098] The invention provides assays for examining cellular pathways associated with disregulated cell growth. Certain embodiments of the invention include the steps of detecting the presence of phosphorylated S6, mTOR, FKHR, AKT or ERK polypeptides or PTEN and EGFR polypeptides in a tissue. Methods for detecting these polypeptides are well known and include, for example, immunoprecipitation, immunohistochemical analysis, Western blot analysis, molecular binding assays, ELISA, ELIFA and the like.

[0099] Typically the assays of the invention include immunohistochemical techniques. Immunohistochemical techniques as used herein encompasses the use of reagents detecting cell specific markers, such reagents include, for example antibodies. Antibodies, including monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies and fragments thereof, are often used to identify proteins or polypeptides of interest in a sample. A number of techniques are utilized to label objects of interest according to immunohistochemical techniques. Such techniques are discussed in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Unit 14 et seq., eds. Ausubel, et al., John Wiley & Sons, 1995, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Typical protocols include staining a paraffin embedded tissue section prepared according to a conventional procedure (see, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,203).

[0100] Certain embodiments of the invention include tunel assays a markers of apoptosis. Typically, a TUNEL assay is performed essentially as follows: the percentage of apoptotic cells are detected by the APO-BRDU terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling assay (see, e.g. Gavrieli, et al., J. Cell Biol. 119: 493-501) according to manufacturer's instructions (see, e.g. Phoenix Flow Systems, Phoenix, Ariz.). For further discussions of TUNEL assays useful in methods of the invention see, e.g. Prochazkova et al., Biotechniques 2003 September;35(3):528-34; Duan et al., J Pathol. 2003 February;199(2):221-8; and Walker et al., J Pathol. 2001 October;195(3):275-6.

[0101] Certain embodiments of the invention include caspase-3 assays. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the caspase-3 assay measures the activation of caspase-3 enzyme, a critical early event of apoptosis induced death (see, e.g. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 20020,159,996 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,346,607). For further discussions of TUNEL assays useful in methods of the invention see, e.g. Duan et al., J Pathol. 2003 February;199(2):221-8; and Walker et al., J Pathol. 2001 October;195(3):275-6.

[0102] Throughout this application, various publications are referenced. The disclosures of these publications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

EXAMPLES Example 1

[0103] Patient Selection and Construction of Tissue Microarray:

[0104] All patients participating in this study gave informed consent prior to surgery, in accordance with UCLA Institutional Review Board Policies. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks were taken from 45 patients diagnosed with a glioblastoma at initial surgical resection and treated by the UCLA neuro-oncologist. The diagnosis was confirmed independently by at least two Neuropathologists. None of the patients were treated prior to removal of the tumor. Three representative 0.6 mm cores were obtained from diagnostic areas of the tumor blocks from each of the primary GBM patients; two from geographically distinct regions of tumor and one from a region of normal brain tissue when available (approximately ⅔ of cases). The cores were then inserted into a grid pattern in a recipient paraffin block using a tissue arrayer. Five-micron sections were cut from the tissue array and immunohistochemistry was performed. Serial sections from the tissue array were used for immunohistochemical analysis. Four tumors had sufficient material on the tissue array for analysis of PTEN, EGFR and EGFRvIII, but lacked sufficient material for analysis of p-Akt, p-mTOR, p-S6, p-FKHR and p-Erk.

Example 2

[0105] Immunohistochemical Staining

[0106] Sections from the tissue microarray were stained with monoclonal antibodies to PTEN (clone 6H2.1, Cascade Bioscience, Winchester Mass.), EGFR (clone 31G7, Zymed, San Francisco, Calif.), EGFRvIII (clone L8A4, a generous gift from Dr. Darrell Bigner), and phosphorylation specific antibodies directed against p-Akt (ser 473) p-FKHR (thr24) /p-FKHRL1 (thr32), p-mTOR (ser 2481), p-S6 ribosomal protein (ser 235/236) and p-44/42 MAP kinase (p-Erk) (thr202/tyr204) (Cell Signaling Technologies, Beverly, Mass). Sections were baked at 60° C. and de-paraffinized with xylenes and graded ethanols. Heat-induced antigen retrieval was used as follows: for p-Erk, p-Akt, p-mTOR, p-FKHR/FKHRL1 and p-s6, 0.01 M citrate buffer, pH 6 for 25 minutes in a pressure cooker; for PTEN, 0.01M citrate buffer, pH 6 for 16 minutes in a microwave oven; EGFR, pronase (0.03 g/ml 0f 0.05 M Tris buffer, pH 7.4) at 37° C. for 8 minutes and for EGFRvIII, 0.01 M citrate buffer, pH 6 for 25 minutes in a vegetable steamer. Endogenous peroxidase activity was quenched with 3% hydrogen peroxide in methanol. Primary antibodies (PTEN at 1:400, EGFR at 1:150, EGFRvIII at 1:400, p-Akt 1:50, p-mTOR 1:50; p-FKHR/FKHRL1 1:50, pS6 1:50 and p-ERK at 1:50) were diluted in Tris buffered saline with 0.1% Tween and applied for 16 hours at 4° C., followed by anti-mouse or anti-rabbit biotinylated immunoglobulins (Vector) at 1:100 dilution for one hour, and finally, avidin-biotin complex (Elite ABC, Vector) for one hour. Negative control slides received normal mouse serum (DAKO) as the primary antibody. Diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride was used as the enzyme substrate to visualize specific antibody localization for PTEN, EGFR and EGFRvIII; Vector NovaRed (Vector) was used for phospho-specific antibodies. Slides were counterstained with Harris hematoxylin.

Example 3

[0107] Scoring and Interpretation of Immunohistochemistry:

[0108] PTEN-PTEN staining was scored according to a previously established scale of 0-2, in which the vascular endothelium (score of 2) serves as an internal control (see, e.g., Perren et al., Am J Pathol. 157: 1097-103., 2000; Perren et al., Am J Pathol. 155: 1253-60., 1999; Zhou et al., Am J Pathol. 161: 439-47., 2002; Gimm et al., Am J Pathol. 156: 1693-700., 2000). Tumor cells are graded as 2 if their staining intensity is equal to that of the vascular endothelium, 1 if it is diminished relative to the endothelium, and 0 if it is undetectable in the tumor cells and present in the vascular endothelium (see, e.g., Zhou et al., Am J Pathol. 161: 439-47., 2002). This scoring system has been shown to be highly consistent between different cancer cell types, including breast (see, e.g., Perren et al., Am J Pathol. 155: 1253-60., 1999), ovarian (see, e.g., Mutter et al., Cancer Res. 61: 4311-4314., 2001), pancreas (see, e.g., Perren et al., Am J Pathol. 157: 1097-103., 2000) and colon (see, e.g., Zhou et al., Am J Pathol. 161: 439-47., 2002). Two Neuropathologists scored the tumors independently. In addition, tumors were scored by one of the Neuropathologists on two independent occasions. Both the inter-rater, and the intra-rater agreement were greater than 90%.

[0109] EGFR and EGFRvIII—Tumors demonstrating strong EGFR immunopositivity in greater than 20% of tumor cells were considered to be positive (see, e.g., Liotta et al., Jama. 286: 2211-4., 2001); tumors demonstrating at least focal moderate to strong immunoreactivity for EGFRvIII were considered positive, as previously reported (see, e.g., Choe et al., Clin Cancer Res. 8: 2894-901., 2002). The inter-rater and intra-rater agreement for EGFR and EGFRvIII were >90%.

[0110] Phosphorylation specific antibodies—Phospho-Akt, mTOR, S6 and FKHR were scored on a scale of 0-2 (0+ no staining, 1+=mild intensity cytoplasmic staining, and 2+=strong cytoplasmic staining; staining of 1+ and 2+ were considered positive. The agreement between reviewers, as well as for the same reviewer on independent reviews, was 80% for p-Akt. It was higher for phosphorylated mTOR, S6 and FKHR, ranging from 87% for mTOR to 100% for S6. For phospho-ERK, tumors that focally contained greater than 5% positive nuclear staining were considered positive, as previously reported (see, e.g., Choe et al., Clin Cancer Res. 8: 2894-901., 2002). The agreement between reviewers, and for the same reviewer on independent reviews, was >85%.

Example 4

[0111] Statistical Analysis

[0112] The association between markers was analyzed using Fisher's Exact test. The software was available on the Simple Interactive Statistical Website which can be identified with a internet search using the terms “home.clara.net” (http://home.clara.net/sisa/index.htm). For analysis of prognostic factors, we excluded 13 patients who did not receive therapy other than surgery. These patients had a poor performance status at the time of diagnosis and elected not to have further therapy. All other patients had received at least standard involved field fractionated radiation therapy. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated to assess the association of variables with time from initial diagnosis to evidence of progression by imaging or clinical features (time to tumor progression) and time from initial diagnosis to death (overall survival). To identify statistically significant differences in time to progression and overall survival, the Wilcoxon two sample test was used.

Example 5

[0113] Assessment of PTEN/Akt Pathway by IHC

[0114] We constructed a tissue microarray consisting of samples from 45 untreated primary GBM patients (Table 1). All of the tumors presented as de novo grade IV tumors (“primary GBMs”) (see, e.g., Kleihues et al., Neuro-oncol. 1: 44-51., 1999). None of the patients received any radiation or chemotherapy prior to surgical resection. We focused on primary GBMs because they have a high incidence of PTEN mutations and EGFR over-expression (see, e.g., Kleihues et al., Neuro-oncol. 1: 44-51., 1999) and because this enabled us to analyze PI3′K/Akt pathway activation in the absence of prior therapy. The patients ranged in age from 28 to 88 with a median age of 58 (Table 1); all were diagnosed with a GBM on biopsy by at lease two independent Neuropathologists.

[0115] PTEN protein expression was diminished or lost in 17/45 GBMs (38%) (FIG. 1, Table 2). This is in agreement with previous studies that have used DNA-based methods to detect PTEN loss in 30-40% of GBMs (see, e.g., Liu et al., Cancer Res. 57: 5254-7., 1997; Schmidt et al.,J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 58: 1170-83., 1999; Smith et al., J Nad Cancer Inst. 93: 1246-56., 2001). Akt phosphorylation was significantly associated with diminished PTEN immunohistochemical expression (p<0.00001) (FIG. 1., Table 2). PTEN loss was not significantly associated with expression of p-Erk (Table 2), whose activation is independent of PI3′K/Akt signaling. To determine whether Akt activation correlated with concurrent activation of downstream effectors, we used phosphorylation specific antibodies directed against mTOR, FKHR and S6. mTOR and FKHR are directly phosphorylated by Akt (see, e.g., Vivanco et al., Nat Rev Cancer. 2: 489-501., 2002; Hidalgo et al., Oncogene. 19: 6680-6686., 2000); S6 is phosphorylated by p70 S6 kinase, which is itself a target of Akt (see, e.g., Blume-Jensen et al., Nature. 411: 355-365., 2001). Akt activation was significantly associated with expression of p-mTOR (p=0.04) and p-FKHR (p=0.006)(Table 3). Akt activation was also correlated with strong S6 phosphorylation (2+) (p=0.001), although weaker S6 phosphorylation (1+) was also detected in Akt-negative tumors (Fable 3). This latter result is not surprising considering that S6 can be activated by Erk in a PI3′K/Akt independent fashion (see, e.g., Iijima et al., J Biol Chem. 277: 23065-75., 2002; Shi et al., J Biol Chem. 277: 15712-20., 2002). Taken together, these results provides evidence that PI3′K/Akt pathway activation can be detected in routinely processed paraffin-embedded biopsy samples, and demonstrate that PTEN protein loss is associated with PI3′K/Akt pathway activation in GBMs.

Example 6

[0116] Akt Pathway Activation in GBMs Lacking PTEN Protein Loss: Assessment of EGFR/EGFRvIII-Mediated Signaling

[0117] PTEN loss did not appear to be the only route to Akt activation; expression of p-Akt and downstream effectors p-mTOR, p-FKHR and p-S6 was also detected in 28% of GBMs with no immunohistochemical PTEN loss (Table 2). Because the PI3′K/Akt pathway can be activated by EGFR signaling, we analyzed EGFR and EGFRvIII expression and assessed their association with PI3′K/Akt pathway activation in the setting of normal PTEN immunohistochemical staining. EGFR immunopositivity was detected in 60% of GBMs (FIG. 2), in line with previous reports (see, e.g., Smith et al., J Natl Cancer Inst. 93: 1246-56., 2001; Watanabe et al., Brain Pathol. 6: 217-23; discussion 23-4., 1996; Ekstrand et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 89: 4309-13., 1992; Frederick et al., Cancer Res. 60: 1383-7., 2000; Hayashi et al., Brain Pathol. 7: 871-5., 1997; Nagane et al., Cancer Lett. 162 Suppl: S17-S21., 2001; Nishikawa et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 91: 7727-31., 1994; Wikstrand et al., Cancer Res. 57: 4130-40., 1997). Immunohistochemical expression of the constitutively active mutant EGFRvIII was detected in 56% of EGFR positive tumors (44% of tumors overall) (FIG. 2) (Smith et al., J Natl Cancer Inst. 93: 1246-56., 2001; Nagane et al., Cancer Lett. 162 Suppl: S17-S21., 2001; Nishikawa et al., Proc Nad Acad Sci USA. 91: 7727-31., 1994; Wikstrand et al., Cancer Res. 57: 4130-40., 1997). Strongly activated Akt (2+ staining) was not detectable in GBMs with normal PTEN immunohistochemical expression that lacked EGFR and EGFRvIII expression (Table 2). In contrast, 36% of GBMs with normal PTEN immunohistochemical expression that also co-expressed EGFR and EGFRvIII stained strongly for activated Akt (p=0.06) (Table 2). Although the subset of tumors was small, co-expression of EGFRvIII along with EGFR appeared to be required for strong Akt activation (2+ staining)(Table 2). These results provides evidence that co-expression of EGFR and EGFRvIII can promote Akt activation in GBMs with normal PTEN protein expression. Consistent with this, downstream activation of mTOR, S6 and FKHR were also significantly more likely to be strongly activated (2+ staining) in GBMs with normal PTEN expression when EGFR and EGFRvIII were co-expressed (p<0.002).

[0118] In addition to the Akt pathway, EGFR, and EGFRvIII can also activate Erk. Therefore, we determined whether Erk phosphorylation was associated with EGFR and EGFRvIII expression. Overall, Erk phosphorylation was detected in 51% of GBMs. More importantly, expression of phosphorylated Erk was significantly associated with EGFR expression (p=0.007)(FIG. 2; Table 4). Phosphorylated Erk was expressed in 75% of EGFR+/EGFRvIII negative GBMs and 88% of EGFR+/EGFRvIII positive GBMs.

Example 7

[0119] Prognostic Implications of Akt and Erk Pathway Activation

[0120] Previous studies have not shown a clear prognostic implications for PTEN loss, EGFR over-expression or EGFRvIII expression in GBMs. In line with this, we found no statistically significant association between PTEN protein loss, EGFR or EGFRvIII expression and either time to progression or overall survival. In contrast, coordinate pathway activation appeared to have prognostic implications. Expression of p-Akt was not significantly associated with survival or progression. In contrast, activation of the downstream pathway, as detected by concurrent phosphorylation of mTOR, FKHR and S6, was significantly associated with both a shorter time to progression (p=0.002) and a decreased overall survival (p=0.02). This finding may reflect a contribution from additional inputs downstream of Akt, such as Erk-mediated activation of S6 kinase and nutrient-mediated activation of mTOR. Alternatively, this panel of three phospho-specific antibodies may be a more sensitive method to detect Akt pathway activation than a single phospho-Akt antibody alone. Erk activation was also significantly associated with more rapid progression and diminished overall survival in this subset of primary GBM patients (<0.04) (Table 5). these findings are the first demonstration that pathway activation has an impact on tumor progression in GBM patients.

Example 8

[0121] Kinase Inhibitors Akt and Erk Pathway Activation

[0122]FIGS. 3A and 3B provide an illustration of the interaction between members of the PI3K/Akt pathway and kinase inhibitors.

[0123]FIG. 3A shows that rapamycin inhibits S6 phosphorylation in glioblastoma in vivo. In particular, FIG. 3A provides data from an analysis of a cohort of patients on a rapamycin clinical trial. This data shows that a substantial reduction in S6 phosphorylation relative to the initial biopsy was detected in the tumor in the majority of patients treated with rapamycin for 5 days prior to undergoing surgical resection. Control patients showed a uniformly high level of S6 phosphorylation. This data provides evidence that rapamycin inhibited mTOR signaling at the level of S6 phosphorylation in the majority of glioblastoma patients. In addition, this data illustrates how the detection of pathway activation by immunohistochemistry (IHC) correlates with detection by western blotting.

[0124]FIG. 3B shows that the rapamycin-mediated inhibition of S6 phosphorylation correlates with diminished tumor proliferation. In this Figure, Ki-67, a marker of cellular proliferation was used to assess whether rapamycin-mediated inhibition of S6 had an effect on tumor growth. This data provides evidence that the rapamycin-mediated inhibition of mTOR signaling at the level of S6 phosphorylation correlated with diminished tumor cell proliferation.

[0125] The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the embodiments disclosed herein, which are intended as single illustrations of individual aspects of the invention, and any that are functionally equivalent are within the scope of the invention. Various modifications to the models and methods of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and teachings, and are similarly intended to fall within the scope of the invention. Such modifications or other embodiments can be practiced without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention.

Tables

[0126] TABLE 1 Patient Characteristics Clinical Characteristics # Sex M 29 F 16 Age (years) median 58 mean 58 range 28-88  Time to progression (days) median 183 mean 227 range 54-1006 Survival (days) median 412 mean 427 range 86-1794

[0127] TABLE 2 Association between PTEN expression and Akt pathway activation p-Akt p-mTOR p-FKHR p-S6 p-ERK 0 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 2 + − PTEN- 2 1 13 3 4 10 2 2 12 4 3 10  8 7 PTEN+ 18 3 4 6 8 11 10 2 13 5 7 12 16 8 p-value 0.00001 ns ns ns ns PTEN+/EGFR−/ 6 2 0 5 2 0 7 0 1 5 2 0 nd nd EGFRvIII− PTEN+/EGFR+/EGFRvI 3 1 0 0 1 2 1 2 1 0 1 3 nd nd II− PTEN+/EGFR+/EGFRvI 7 0 4 0 3 9 2 1 10 0 3 10 nd nd II+ p-value 0.06 0.001 0.002 0.001 nd

[0128] TABLE 3 Association between Akt activation and downstream signaling p-mTOR p-mTOR p-mTOR p-FKHR p-FKHR p-FKHR p-S6 p-S6 p-S6 0 1 2 p-value 0 1 2 p-value 0 1 2 p-value p-Akt− 6 7  7 10 1 9 6 7 7 p-Akt+ 1 5 14 0.04 1 3 16 0.006 4 3 13 0.15 (*0.003)

[0129] TABLE 4 Univariate analysis between EGFR receptor status and downstream signalling. Pearson Correlation p-value EGFR EGFRvIII 0.31 0.04 p-Erk 0.34 0.03 p-Akt 0.07 0.67 p-FKHR 0.25 0.12 p-mTOR 0.24 0.13 p-S6 0.3 0.06 EGFRvIII p-FKHR 0.33 0.04 p-mTOR 0.31 0.06 p-S6 0.3 0.06

[0130] TABLE 5 Univariate association between pathway activation and prognosis Time to progression Survival (days) p-value (days) p-value p-Erk+ 148 356 p-Erk− 263 0.05 488 0.02 p-mTOR+/p-FKHR+/p-S6+ 142 0.002 357 0.02 p-mTOR−/p-FKHR−/p-S6− 308 528 p-Akt+ 176 NS 358 NS p-Akt− 238 419 PTEN+ 153 NS 438 NS PTEN− 212 346 EGFR+ 151 NS 385 NS EGFR− 243 412 EGFRvIII+ 135 NS 420 NS EGFRvIII− 230 351

[0131] TABLE 6 POLYPEPTIDE SEQUENCES S6 (NP 001001, gi:17158044) 249 amino acids See, e.g. Pata et al., Gene 121 (2), 387-392 (1992) MKLNISFPATGCQKLIEVDDERKLRTFYEKRMATEVAADALGEEWKGYVVRISGGND (SEQ ID NO: 1) KQGFPMKQGVLTHGRVRLLLSKGHSCYRPRRTGERKRKSVRGCIVDANLSVLNLVIV KKGEKDIPGLTDTTVPRRLGPKPASRIRKLFNLSKEDDVRQYVVRKPLNKEGKKPRT KAPKIQRLVTPRVLQHKRRRIALKKQRTKKNKEEAAEYAKLLAKRMKEAKEKRQEQI AKRRRLSSLRASTSKSESSQK m-TOR (NP 004949, gi:4826730) 2549 amino acids See, e.g. Brown et al., Nature 369 (6483), 756+14758 (1994) MLGTGPAAATTAATTSSNVSVLQQFASGLKSRNEETRAKAAKELQHYVTMELREMSQ (SEQ ID NO: 2) EESTRFYDQLNHHIFELVSSSDANERKGGILAIASLIGVEGGNATRIGRFANYLRNL LPSNDPVVMEMASKAIGRLAMAGDTFTAEYVEFEVKPALEWLGADRNEGRRHAAVLV LRELAISVPTFFFQQVQPFFDNIFVAVWDPKQAIREGAVAALPACLILTTQREPKEM QKPQWYRHTFEEAEKGFDETLAKEKGMNRDDRIHGALLILNELVRISSMEGERLREE MEEITQQQLVHDKYCKDLMGFGTKPRHITPFTSFQAVQPQQSNALVGLLGYSSHQGL MGFGTSPSPAKSTLVESRCCRDLMEEKFDQVCQWVLKCRNSKNSLIQMTILNLLPRL AAFRPSAFTDTQYLQDTMNHVLSCVKKEKERTAAFQALGLLSVAVRSEFKVYLPRVL DIIRAALPPKDFAHKRQKAMQVDATVFTCISMLARANGPGIQQDIKELLEPMLAVGL SPALTAVLYDLSRQIPQLKKDIQDGLLKMLSLVLMHKPLRHPGMPKGLAHQLASPGL TTLPEASDVGSITLALRTLGSFEFEGHSLTQFVRHCADHFLNSEHKEIRMEAARTCS RLLTPSIHLISGHAHVVSQTAVQVVADVLSKLLVVGITDPDPDIRYCVLASLDERFD AHLAQAENLQALFVALNDQVFEIRELATCTVGRLSSMNPAFVMPFLRKMLIQILTEL EHSGIGRIKEQSARMLGHLVSNAPRLIRPYMEPILKALILKLKDPDPDPNPGVINNV LATIGELAQVSGLEMRKWVDELFIIIMDMLQDSSLLAKRQVALWTLGQLVASTGYVV EPYRKYPTLLEVLLNFLKTEQNQGTRREAIRVLGLLGALDPYKHKVNIGMIDQSRDA SAVSLSESKSSQDSSDYSTSEMLVNMGNLPLDEFYPAVSMVALMRIFRDQSLSHHHT MVVQAITFIFKSLGLKCVQFLPQVMPTFLNVIRVCDGAIREFLFQQLGMLVSFVKSH IRPYMDEIVTLMREFWVMNTSIQSTIILLIEQIVVALGGEFKLYLPQLIPHMLRVFM HDNSPGRIVSIKLLAAIQLFGANLDDYLHLLLPPIVKLFDAPEAPLPSRKAALETVD RLTESLDFTDYASRIIHPIVRTLDQSPELRSTANDTLSSLVFQLGKKYQIFIPMVNK VLVRHRINHQRYDVLICRVKGYTLADEEEDPLIYQHRNLRSGQGDAIIASGPVETGP MKKLHVSTINLQKAWGAARRVSKDDWLEWLRRLSLELLKDSSSPSLRSCWALAQAYN PMARDLFNAAFVSCWSELNEDQQDELIRSIELALTSQDIAEVTQTLLNLAEFMEHSD KGPLPLRDDNGIVLLGERAAKCRAYAKALHYKELEFQKGPTPAILESLISINNKLQQ PEAAAGVLEYAMKHFGELEIQATWYEKLHEWEDALVAYDKKMDTNKDDPELMLGRMR CLEALGEWGQLHQQCCEKWTLVNDETQAKMARMAAAAAWGLGQWDSMEEYTCMIPRD THDGAFYRAVLALHQDLFSLAQQCIDKARDLLDAELTAMAGESYSRAYGANVSCHML SELEEVIQYKLVPERREIIRQIWWERLQGCQRIVEDWQKILMVRSLVVSPHEDMRTW LKYASLCGKSGRLALAHKTLVLLLGVDPSRQLDHPLPTVHPQVTYAYMKNMWKSARK IDAFQHMQHFVQTMQQQAQHAIATEDQQHKQELHKLMARCFLKLGEWQLNLQGINES TIPKVLQYYSAATEHDRSWYKAWHAWAVMNFEAVLHYKHQNQARDEKKKLRHASGAN ITNATTAATTAATATTTASTEGSNSESEAESTENSPTPSPLQKKVTEDLSKTLLMYT VPAVQGFFRSISLSRGNNLQDTLRVLTLWFDYGHWPDVNEALVEGVKAIQIDTWLQV IPQLIARIDTPRPLVGRLIHQLLTDIGRYHPQALIYPLTVASKSTTTARHNAANKIL KNNCEHSNTLVQQAMMVSEELIRVAILWHEMWHEGLEEASRLYFGERNVKGMFEVLE PLHAMMERGPQTLKETSFNQAYGRDLMEAQEWCRKYMKSGNVKDLTQAWDLYYHVFR RISKQLPQLTSLELQYVSPKLLMCRDLELAVPGTYDPNQPIIRIQSIAPSLQVITSK QRPRKLTLMGSNGHEFVFLLKGHEDLRQDERVMQLFGLVNTLLANDPTSLRKNLSIQ RYAVIPLSTNSGLIGWVPHCDTLHALIRDYREKKKILLNIEHRIMLRMAPDYDHLTL MQKVEVFEHAVNNTAGDDLAKLLWLKSPSSEVWFDRRTNYTRSLAVMSMVGYILGLG DRHPSNLMLDRLSGKILHIDFGDCFEVAMTREKFPEKIPFRLTRMLTNAMEVTGLDG NYRITCHTVMEVLREHKDSVMAVLEAFVYDPLLNWRLMDTNTKGNKRSRTRTDSYSA GQSVEILDGVELGEPAHKKTGTTVPESIHSFIGDGLVKPEALNKKAIQIINRVRDKL TGRDFSHDDTLDVPTQVELLiIKQATSHENLCQCYIGWCPFW FORKHEAD (NP 002006, gi:9257222) 655 amino acids See, e.g. Anderson et al., Genomics 47 (2), 187-199 (1998) MAEAPQVVEIDPDFEPLPRPRSCTWPLPRPEFSQSNSATSSPAPSGSAAANPDAAAG (SEQ ID NO: 3) LPSASAAAVSADFMSNLSLLEESEDFPQAPGSVAAAVAAAAAAAATGGLCGDFQGPE AGCLHPAPPQPPPPGPLSQHPPVPPAAAGPLAGQPRKSSSSRRNAWGNLSYADLITK AIESSAEKRLTLSQIYEWMVKSVPYFKDKGDSNSSAGWKNSIRHNLSLHSKFIRVQN EGTGKSSWWMLNPEGGKSGKSPRRRAASMDNNSKFAKSRSRAAKKKASLQSGQEGAG DSPGSQFSKWPASPGSHSNDDFDNWSTFRPRTSSNASTISGRLSPIMTEQDDLGEGD VHSMVYPPSAAKMASTLPSLSEISNPENMENLLDNLNLLSSPTSLTVSTQSSPGTMM QQTPCYSFAPPNTSLNSPSPNYQKYTYGQSSMSPLPQMPIQTLQDNKSSYGGMSQYN CAPGLLKELLTSDSPPHNDIMTPVDPGVAQPNSRVLGQNVMMGPNSVMSTYGSQASH NKMMNPSSHTHPGHAQQTSAVNGRPLPHTVSTMPHTSGMNRLTQVKTPVQVPLPHPM QMSALGGYSSVSSCNGYGRMGLLHQEKLPSDLDGMFIERLDCDMESIIRNDLMDGDT LDFNFDNVLPNQSFPHSVKTTTHSWVSG AKT (NP 005154 gi:4885061) 480 amino acids See, e.g. Staal, S. P., Proc. Nati. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 84 (14), 5034-5037 (1987) MSDVAIVKEGWLHKRGEYIKTWRPRYFLLKNDGTFIGYKERPQDVDQREAPLNNFSV (SEQ ID NO: 4) AQCQLMKTERPRPNTFIIRCLQWTTVIERTFHVETPEEREEWTTAIQTVADGLKKQE EEEMDFRSGSPSDNSGAEEMEVSLAKPKHRVTMNEFEYLKLLGKGTFGKVILVKEKA TGRYYANKILKKEVIVAKDEVAHTLTENRVLQNSRHPFLTALKYSFQTHDRLCFVME YANGGELFFHLSRERVFSEDRARFYGAEIVSALDYLHSEKNVVYRDLKLENLMLDKD GRIKITDFGLCKEGIKDGATMKTFCGTPEYLAPEVLEDNDYGRAVDWWGLGVVMYEM MCGRLPFYNQDHEKLFELILMEEIRFPRTLGPEAKSLLSGLLKKDPKQRLGGGSEDA KEIMQHRFFAGIVWQHVYEKKLSPPFKPQVTSETDTRYFDEEFTAQMITITPPDQDD SMECVDSERRPHFPQFSYSASSTA PTEN (NP 000305, gi:4506249) 403 amino acids See, e.g. Li et al., Science 275 (5308), 1943-1947 (1997) MTAIIKEIVSRNKRRYQEDGFDLDLTYIYPNIIAMGFPAERLEGVYRNNIDDVVRFL (SEQ ID NO: 5) DSKHKNHYKIYNLCAERHYDTAKFNCRVAQYPFEDHNPPQLELIKPFCEDLDQWLSE DDNHVAAIHCKAGKGRTGVMICAYLLHRGKFLKAQEALDFYGEVRTRDKKGVTIPSQ RRYVYYYSYLLKNHLDYRPVALLFHKMMFETIPMFSGGTCNPQFVVCQLKVKIYSSN SGPTRREDKFMYFEFPQPLPVCGDIKVEFFHKQNKMLKKDKMFHFWVNTFFIPGPEE TSEKVENGSLCDQEIDSICSIERADNDKEYLVLTLTKNDLDKANKDKANRYFSPNFK VKLYFTKTVEEPSNPEASSSTSVTPDVSDNEPDHYRYSDTTDSDPENEPFDEDQHTQ ITKV FKHRL1 (043524, gi:8134467) 673 amino acids See, e.g. Hillion et al., Blood 90 (9), 3714-3719 (1997) MAEAPASPAPLSPLEVELDPEFEPQSRPRSCTWPLQRPELQASPAKPSGETAADSMI (SEQ ID NO:6) PEEEDDEDDEDGGGRAGSAMAIGGGGGSGTLGSGLLLEDSARVLAPGGQDPGSGPAT AAGGLSGGTQALLQPQQPLPPPQPGAAGGSGQPRKCSSRRNAWGNLSYADLITPAIE SSPDKRLTLSQIYEWMVRCVPYFKDKGDSNSSAGWKNSIRHNLSLHSRFMRVQNEGT GKSSWWIINPDGGKSGKAPRRRAVSMDNSNKYTKSRGRAAKKKAALQTAPESADDSP SQLSKWPGSPTSRSSDELDAWTDFRSRTNSNASTVSGRLSPIMASTELDEVQDDDAP LSPMLYSSSASLSPSVSKPCTVELPRLTDMAGTMNLNDGLTENLMDDLLDNITLPPS QPSPTGGLMQRSSSFPYTTKGSGLGSPTSSFNSTVFGPSSLNSLRQSPMQTIQENKP ATFSSMSHYGNQTLQDLLTSDSLSHSDVMMTQSDPLMSQASTAVSAQNSRRNVMLRN DPMMSFAAQPNQGSLVNQNLLHHQHQTQGALGGSRALSNSVSNMGLSESSSLGSAKH QQQSPVSQSMQTLSDSLSGSSLYSTSANLPVMGHEKFPSDLDLDMFNGSLECDMESI IRSELMDADGLDFNFDSLISTQNVVGLNVGNFTGAKQASSQSWVPG EGFR (NP 005219, gi:29725609) 1210 amino acids See, e.g. Tam et al., Nature 309 (5967), 418-425 (1984) MRPSGTAGAALLALLAALCPASRALEEKKVCQGTSNKLTQLGTFEDHFLSLQRMFNN (SEQ ID NO: 7) CEVVLGNLEITYVQRNYDLSFLKTIQEVAGYVLIALNTVERIPLENLQIIRGNMYYE NSYALAVLSNYDANKTGLKELPMRNLQEILHGAVRFSNNPALCNVESIQWRDIVSSD FLSNMSMDFQNHLGSCQKCDPSCPNGSCWGAGEENCQKLTKIICAQQCSGRCRGKSP SDCCHNQCAAGCTGPRESDCLVCRKFRDEATCKDTCPPLMLYNPTTYQMDVNPEGKY SFGATCVKKCPRNYVVTDHGSCVRACGADSYEMEEDGVRKCKKCEGPCRKVCNGIGI GEFKDSLSINATNIKHFKNCTSISGDLHILPVAFRGDSFTHTPPLDPQELDILKTVK EITGFLLIQAWPENRTDLHAFENLEIIRGRTKQHGQFSLAVVSLNITSLGLRSLKEI SDGDVIISGNKNLCYANTINWKKLFGTSGQKTKIISNRGENSCKATGQVCHALCSPE GCWGPEPRDCVSCRNVSRGRECVDKCNLLEGEPREFVENSECIQCHPECLPQAMNIT CTGRGPDNCIQCAHYIDGPHCVKTCPAGVMGENNTLVWKYADAGHVCHLCHPNCTYG CTGPGLEGCPTNGPKIPSIATGMVGALLLLLVVALGIGLFMRRRHIVRKRTLRRLLQ ERELVEPLTPSGEAPNQALLRILKETEFKKIKVLGSGAFGTVYKGLWIPEGEKVKIP VAIKELREATSPKANKEILDEAYVMASVDNPHVCRLLGICLTSTVQLITQLMPFGCL LDYVREHKDNIGSQYLLNWCVQIAKGMNYLEDRRLVHRDLAARNVLVKTPQHVKITD FGLAKLLGAEEKEYHAEGGKVPIKWMALESILHRIYTHQSDVWSYGVTVWELMTFGS KPYDGIPASEISSILEKGERLPQPPICTIDVYMIMVKCWMIDADSRPKFRELIIEES KMARDPQRYLVIQGDERMHLPSPTDSNFYRALMDEEDMDDVVDADEYLIPQQGFFSS PSTSRTPLLSSLSATSNNSTVACIDRNGLQSCPIKEDSFLQRYSSDPTGALTEDSID DTFLPVPEYINQSVPKRPAGSVQNPVYHNQPLNPAPSRDPHYQDPHSTAVGNPEYLN TVQPTCVNSTFDSPAHWAQKGSHQISLDNPDYQQDFFPKEAKPNGIFKGSTAENAEY LRVAPQSSEFIGA p-ERK (XP 055766, gi:20562757) 379 amino acids See, e.g. Butch et al., J Biol Chem. 1996 Feb 23; 271 (8) :4230-5. MAAAAAQGGGGGEPRRTEGVGPGVPGEVEMVKGQPFDVGPRYTQLQYIGEGAYGMVS (SEQ ID NO: 8) SAYDHVRKTRVAIKKISPFEHQTYCQRTLREIQILLRFRHENVIGIRDILRASTLEA MRDVYIVQDLMETDLYKLLKSQQLSNDHICYFLYQILRGLKYIHSANVLHRDLKPSN LLINTTCDLKICDFGLARIADPEHDHTGFLTEYVATRWYRAPEIMLNSKGYTKSIDI WSVGCILAEMLSNRPIFPGKHYLDQLNHILGILGSPSQEDLNCIINMKARNYLQSLP SKTKVAWAKLFPKSDSKALDLLDRMLTFNPNKRITVEEALAHPYLEQYYDPTDEPVA EEPFTFAIVIELDDLPKERLKELIFQETARFQPGVLEAP Ki-67 (CAA46519, gi:415819) 3256 amino acids See, e.g. Schluter et al., J. Cell Biol. 123 (3), 513-522 (1993) MWPTRRLVTIKRSGVDGPHFPLSLSTCLFGRGIECDIRIQLPVVSKQHCKIETHEQE (SEQ ID NO: 9) AILHNFSSTNPTQVNGSVIDEPVRLKHGDVITIIDRSFRYENESLQNGRKSTEFPRK IREQEPARRVSRSSFSSDPDEKAQDSKAYSKITEGKVSGNPQVHIKNVKEDSTADDS KDSVAQGTTNVHSSEHAGRNGRNAADPISGDFKEISSVKLVSRYGELKSVPTTQCLD NSKKNESPFWKLYESVKKELDVKSQKENVLQYCRKSGLQTDYATEKESADGLQGETQ LLVSRKSRPKSGGSGHAVAEPASPEQELDQNKGKGRDVESVQTPSKAVGASFPLYEP AKMKTPVQYSQQQNSPQKHKNKDLYTTGRRESVNLGKSEGFKAGDKTLTPRKLSTRN RTPAKVEDAADSATKPENLSSKTRGSIPTDVEVLPTETEIHNEPFLTLWLTQVERKI QKDSLSKPEKLGTTAGQMCSGLPGLSSVDINNFGDSINESEGIPLKRRRVSFGGHLR PELFDENLPPNTPLKRGEAPTKRKSLVMHTPPVLKKIIKEQPQPSGKQESGSEIHVE VKAQSLVISPPAPSPRKTPVASDQRRRSCKTAPASSSKSQTEVPKRGGERVATCLQK RVSISRSQHDTLQMICSKRRSGASEANLIVAKSWADVVKLGAKQTQTKVIKHGPQRS MNKRQRRPATPKKPVGEVHSQFSTGHANSPCTIIIGKAHTEKVHVPARPYRVLNNFI SNQKMDFKEDLSGIAEMFKTPVKEQPQLTSTCHIAISNSENLLGKQFQGTDSGEEPL LPTSESFGGNVFFSAQNAAKQPSDKCSASPPLRRQCIRENGNVAKTPRNTYKMTSLE TKTSDTETEPSKTVSTVNRSGRSTEFRNIQKLPVESKSEETNTEIVECILKRGQKAT LLQQRREGEMKEIERPFETYKENIELKENDEKMKAMKRSRTWGQKCAPMSDLTDLKS LPDTELMKDTARGQNLLQTQDHAKAPKSEKGKITKMPCQSLQPEPINTPTHTKQQLK ASLGKVGVKEELLAVGKFTRTSGETTHTHREPAGDGKSIRTFKESPKQILDPAARVT GMKKWPRTPKEEAQSLEDLAGFKELFQTPGPSEESMTDEKTTKIACKSPPPESVDTP TSTKQWPKRSLRKADVEEEFLALRKLTPSAGKAMLTPKPAGGDEKDIKAFMGTPVQK LDLAGTLPGSKRQLQTPKEKAQALEDLAGFKELFQTPGHTEELVAAGKTTKIPCDSP QSDPVDTPTSTKQRPKRSIRKADVEGELLACRNLMPSAGKANHTPKPSVGEEKDIII FVGTPVQKLDLTENLTGSKRRPQTPKEEAQALEDLTGFKELFQTPGHTEEAVAAGKT TKMPCESSPPESADTPTSTRRQPKTPLEKRDVQKELSALKKLTQTSGETTHTDKVPG GEDKSINAFRETAKQKLDPAASVTGSKRHPKTKEKAQPLEDLAGWKELFQTPVCTDK PTTHEKTTKIACRSQPDPVDTPTSSKPQSKRSLRKVDVEEEFFALRKRTPSAGKANH TPKPAVSGEKNIYAFMGTPVQKLDLTENLTGSKRRLQTPKEKAQALEDLAGFKELFQ TRGHTEESMTNDKTAKVACKSSQPDLDKNPASSKRRLKTSLGKVGVKEELLAVGKLT QTSGETTHTHTEPTGDGKSMKAFMESPKQILDSAASLTGSKRQLRTPKGKSEVPEDL AGFIELFQTPSHTKESMTNEKTTKVSYRASQPDLTDTPTSSKPQPKRSLRKADTEEE FLAFRKQTPSAGKANHTPKPAVGEEKDINTFLGTPVQKLDQPGNLPGSNRRLQTRKE KAQALEELTGFRELFQTPCTDNPTADEKTTKKILCKSPQSDPADTPTNTKQRPKRSL KKADVEEEFLAFRKLTPSAGKAMHTPKAAVGEEKDINTFVGTPVEKLDLLGNLPGSK RRPQTPKEKAKALEDLAGFKELFQTPGHTEESMTDDKITEVSCKSPQPDPVKTPTSS KQRLKISLGKVGVKEEVLPVGKLTQTSGKTTQTHRETAGDGKSIKAFKESAKQMLDP ANYGTGMERWPRTPKEEAQSLEDLAGFKELFQTPDHTEESTTDDKTTKIACKSPPPE SMDTPTSTRRRPKTPLGKRDIVEELSALKQLTQTTHTDKVPGDEDKGINVFRETAKQ KLDPAASVTGSKRQPRTPKGKAQPLEDLAGLKELFQTPVCTDKPTTHEKTTKIACRS PQPDPVGTPTIFKPQSKRSLRKADVEEESLALRKRTPSVGKAMDTPKPAGGDEKDMK AFMGTPVQKLDLPGNLPGSKRWPQTPKEKAQALEDLAGFKELFQTPGTDKPTTDEKT TKIACKSPQPDPVDTPASTKQRPKRNLRKADVEEEFLALRKRTPSAGKAMDTPKPAV SDEKNINTFVETPVQKLDLLGNLPGSKRQPQTPKEKAEALEDLVGFKELFQTPGHTE ESMTDDKITEVSCKSPQPESFKTSRSSKQRLKIPLVKVDMKEEPLAVSKLTRTSGET TQTHTEPTGDSKSIKAFKESPKQILDPAASVTGSRRQLRTRKEKARALEDLVDFKEL FSAPGHTEESMTIDKNTKIPCKSPPPELTDTATSTKRCPKTRPRKEVKEELSAVERL TQTSGQSTHTHKEPASGDEGIKVLKQRAKKKPNPVEEEPSRRRPRAPKEKAQPLEDL AGFTELSETSGHTQESLTAGKATKIPCESPPLEVVDTTASTKRHLRTRVQKVQVKEE PSAVKFTQTSGETTDADKEPAGEDKGIKALKESAKQTPAPAASVTGSRRRPRAPRES AQAIEDLAGFKDPAAGHTEESMTDDKTTKIPCKSSPELEDTATSSKRRPRTRAQKVE VKEELLAVGKLTQTSGETTHTDKEPVGEGKGTKAFKQPAKRNVDAEDVIGSRRQPRA PKEKAQPLEDLASFQELSQTPGHTEELANGAADSFTSAPKQTPDSGKPLKISRRVLR APKVEPVGDVVSTRDPVKSQSKSNTSLPPLPFKRGGGKDGSVTGTKRLRCMPAPEEI VEELPASKKQRVAPRARGKSSEPVVIMKRSLRTSAKRIEPAEELNSNDMKTNKEEHK LQDSVPENKGISLRSRRQDKTEAEQQITEVFVLAERIEINRNEKKPMKTSPEMDIQN PDDGARKPIPRDKVTENKRCLRSARQNESSQPKVAEESGGQKSAKVLMQNQKGKGEA GNSDSMCLRSRKTKSQPAASTLESKSVQRVTRSVKRCAENPKKAEDNVCVKKLTTRS HRDSEDI p-H3 Histone (AAH38989, gi:25058578) 136 amino acids See, e.g. Strausberg et al., Proc. Nati. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 99 (26), 16899-16903 (2002) MARTKQTARKSTGGKAPRKQLATKAARKSAPSTGGVKKPHRYRPGTVALREIRRYQK STELLIRKLPFQRLVREIAQDFKTDLRFQSAAIGALQEASEAYLVGLFEDTNLCAIH AKRVTIMPKDIQLARRIRGERA(SEQ ID NO: 10) Caspase-3 (P42574, gi:1169072) 277 amino acids See, e.g. Goldberg et al., Nat. Genet. 13 (4), 442-449 (1996) MENTENSVDSKSIKNLEPKIIHGSESMDSGISLDNSYKMDYPEMGLCIIINNKNFHK (SEQ ID NO: 11) STGMTSRSGTDVDAANLRETFRNLKYEVRNKLDLTREEIVELMRDVSKEDHSKRSSF VCVLLSHGEEGIIFGTNGPVDLKKITNFFRGDRCRSLTGKPKLFIIQACRGTELDCG IETDSGVDDDMACHKIPVDADFLYAYSTAPGYYSWRNSKDGSWFIQSLCAMLKQYAD KLEFMHILTRVNRKVATEFESFSFDATFHAKKQIPCIVSMLTKELYFYH

[0132]

1 11 1 249 PRT Homo Sapiens 1 Met Lys Leu Asn Ile Ser Phe Pro Ala Thr Gly Cys Gln Lys Leu Ile 1 5 10 15 Glu Val Asp Asp Glu Arg Lys Leu Arg Thr Phe Tyr Glu Lys Arg Met 20 25 30 Ala Thr Glu Val Ala Ala Asp Ala Leu Gly Glu Glu Trp Lys Gly Tyr 35 40 45 Val Val Arg Ile Ser Gly Gly Asn Asp Lys Gln Gly Phe Pro Met Lys 50 55 60 Gln Gly Val Leu Thr His Gly Arg Val Arg Leu Leu Leu Ser Lys Gly 65 70 75 80 His Ser Cys Tyr Arg Pro Arg Arg Thr Gly Glu Arg Lys Arg Lys Ser 85 90 95 Val Arg Gly Cys Ile Val Asp Ala Asn Leu Ser Val Leu Asn Leu Val 100 105 110 Ile Val Lys Lys Gly Glu Lys Asp Ile Pro Gly Leu Thr Asp Thr Thr 115 120 125 Val Pro Arg Arg Leu Gly Pro Lys Arg Ala Ser Arg Ile Arg Lys Leu 130 135 140 Phe Asn Leu Ser Lys Glu Asp Asp Val Arg Gln Tyr Val Val Arg Lys 145 150 155 160 Pro Leu Asn Lys Glu Gly Lys Lys Pro Arg Thr Lys Ala Pro Lys Ile 165 170 175 Gln Arg Leu Val Thr Pro Arg Val Leu Gln His Lys Arg Arg Arg Ile 180 185 190 Ala Leu Lys Lys Gln Arg Thr Lys Lys Asn Lys Glu Glu Ala Ala Glu 195 200 205 Tyr Ala Lys Leu Leu Ala Lys Arg Met Lys Glu Ala Lys Glu Lys Arg 210 215 220 Gln Glu Gln Ile Ala Lys Arg Arg Arg Leu Ser Ser Leu Arg Ala Ser 225 230 235 240 Thr Ser Lys Ser Glu Ser Ser Gln Lys 245 2 2549 PRT Homo Sapiens 2 Met Leu Gly Thr Gly Pro Ala Ala Ala Thr Thr Ala Ala Thr Thr Ser 1 5 10 15 Ser Asn Val Ser Val Leu Gln Gln Phe Ala Ser Gly Leu Lys Ser Arg 20 25 30 Asn Glu Glu Thr Arg Ala Lys Ala Ala Lys Glu Leu Gln His Tyr Val 35 40 45 Thr Met Glu Leu Arg Glu Met Ser Gln Glu Glu Ser Thr Arg Phe Tyr 50 55 60 Asp Gln Leu Asn His His Ile Phe Glu Leu Val Ser Ser Ser Asp Ala 65 70 75 80 Asn Glu Arg Lys Gly Gly Ile Leu Ala Ile Ala Ser Leu Ile Gly Val 85 90 95 Glu Gly Gly Asn Ala Thr Arg Ile Gly Arg Phe Ala Asn Tyr Leu Arg 100 105 110 Asn Leu Leu Pro Ser Asn Asp Pro Val Val Met Glu Met Ala Ser Lys 115 120 125 Ala Ile Gly Arg Leu Ala Met Ala Gly Asp Thr Phe Thr Ala Glu Tyr 130 135 140 Val Glu Phe Glu Val Lys Arg Ala Leu Glu Trp Leu Gly Ala Asp Arg 145 150 155 160 Asn Glu Gly Arg Arg His Ala Ala Val Leu Val Leu Arg Glu Leu Ala 165 170 175 Ile Ser Val Pro Thr Phe Phe Phe Gln Gln Val Gln Pro Phe Phe Asp 180 185 190 Asn Ile Phe Val Ala Val Trp Asp Pro Lys Gln Ala Ile Arg Glu Gly 195 200 205 Ala Val Ala Ala Leu Arg Ala Cys Leu Ile Leu Thr Thr Gln Arg Glu 210 215 220 Pro Lys Glu Met Gln Lys Pro Gln Trp Tyr Arg His Thr Phe Glu Glu 225 230 235 240 Ala Glu Lys Gly Phe Asp Glu Thr Leu Ala Lys Glu Lys Gly Met Asn 245 250 255 Arg Asp Asp Arg Ile His Gly Ala Leu Leu Ile Leu Asn Glu Leu Val 260 265 270 Arg Ile Ser Ser Met Glu Gly Glu Arg Leu Arg Glu Glu Met Glu Glu 275 280 285 Ile Thr Gln Gln Gln Leu Val His Asp Lys Tyr Cys Lys Asp Leu Met 290 295 300 Gly Phe Gly Thr Lys Pro Arg His Ile Thr Pro Phe Thr Ser Phe Gln 305 310 315 320 Ala Val Gln Pro Gln Gln Ser Asn Ala Leu Val Gly Leu Leu Gly Tyr 325 330 335 Ser Ser His Gln Gly Leu Met Gly Phe Gly Thr Ser Pro Ser Pro Ala 340 345 350 Lys Ser Thr Leu Val Glu Ser Arg Cys Cys Arg Asp Leu Met Glu Glu 355 360 365 Lys Phe Asp Gln Val Cys Gln Trp Val Leu Lys Cys Arg Asn Ser Lys 370 375 380 Asn Ser Leu Ile Gln Met Thr Ile Leu Asn Leu Leu Pro Arg Leu Ala 385 390 395 400 Ala Phe Arg Pro Ser Ala Phe Thr Asp Thr Gln Tyr Leu Gln Asp Thr 405 410 415 Met Asn His Val Leu Ser Cys Val Lys Lys Glu Lys Glu Arg Thr Ala 420 425 430 Ala Phe Gln Ala Leu Gly Leu Leu Ser Val Ala Val Arg Ser Glu Phe 435 440 445 Lys Val Tyr Leu Pro Arg Val Leu Asp Ile Ile Arg Ala Ala Leu Pro 450 455 460 Pro Lys Asp Phe Ala His Lys Arg Gln Lys Ala Met Gln Val Asp Ala 465 470 475 480 Thr Val Phe Thr Cys Ile Ser Met Leu Ala Arg Ala Met Gly Pro Gly 485 490 495 Ile Gln Gln Asp Ile Lys Glu Leu Leu Glu Pro Met Leu Ala Val Gly 500 505 510 Leu Ser Pro Ala Leu Thr Ala Val Leu Tyr Asp Leu Ser Arg Gln Ile 515 520 525 Pro Gln Leu Lys Lys Asp Ile Gln Asp Gly Leu Leu Lys Met Leu Ser 530 535 540 Leu Val Leu Met His Lys Pro Leu Arg His Pro Gly Met Pro Lys Gly 545 550 555 560 Leu Ala His Gln Leu Ala Ser Pro Gly Leu Thr Thr Leu Pro Glu Ala 565 570 575 Ser Asp Val Gly Ser Ile Thr Leu Ala Leu Arg Thr Leu Gly Ser Phe 580 585 590 Glu Phe Glu Gly His Ser Leu Thr Gln Phe Val Arg His Cys Ala Asp 595 600 605 His Phe Leu Asn Ser Glu His Lys Glu Ile Arg Met Glu Ala Ala Arg 610 615 620 Thr Cys Ser Arg Leu Leu Thr Pro Ser Ile His Leu Ile Ser Gly His 625 630 635 640 Ala His Val Val Ser Gln Thr Ala Val Gln Val Val Ala Asp Val Leu 645 650 655 Ser Lys Leu Leu Val Val Gly Ile Thr Asp Pro Asp Pro Asp Ile Arg 660 665 670 Tyr Cys Val Leu Ala Ser Leu Asp Glu Arg Phe Asp Ala His Leu Ala 675 680 685 Gln Ala Glu Asn Leu Gln Ala Leu Phe Val Ala Leu Asn Asp Gln Val 690 695 700 Phe Glu Ile Arg Glu Leu Ala Ile Cys Thr Val Gly Arg Leu Ser Ser 705 710 715 720 Met Asn Pro Ala Phe Val Met Pro Phe Leu Arg Lys Met Leu Ile Gln 725 730 735 Ile Leu Thr Glu Leu Glu His Ser Gly Ile Gly Arg Ile Lys Glu Gln 740 745 750 Ser Ala Arg Met Leu Gly His Leu Val Ser Asn Ala Pro Arg Leu Ile 755 760 765 Arg Pro Tyr Met Glu Pro Ile Leu Lys Ala Leu Ile Leu Lys Leu Lys 770 775 780 Asp Pro Asp Pro Asp Pro Asn Pro Gly Val Ile Asn Asn Val Leu Ala 785 790 795 800 Thr Ile Gly Glu Leu Ala Gln Val Ser Gly Leu Glu Met Arg Lys Trp 805 810 815 Val Asp Glu Leu Phe Ile Ile Ile Met Asp Met Leu Gln Asp Ser Ser 820 825 830 Leu Leu Ala Lys Arg Gln Val Ala Leu Trp Thr Leu Gly Gln Leu Val 835 840 845 Ala Ser Thr Gly Tyr Val Val Glu Pro Tyr Arg Lys Tyr Pro Thr Leu 850 855 860 Leu Glu Val Leu Leu Asn Phe Leu Lys Thr Glu Gln Asn Gln Gly Thr 865 870 875 880 Arg Arg Glu Ala Ile Arg Val Leu Gly Leu Leu Gly Ala Leu Asp Pro 885 890 895 Tyr Lys His Lys Val Asn Ile Gly Met Ile Asp Gln Ser Arg Asp Ala 900 905 910 Ser Ala Val Ser Leu Ser Glu Ser Lys Ser Ser Gln Asp Ser Ser Asp 915 920 925 Tyr Ser Thr Ser Glu Met Leu Val Asn Met Gly Asn Leu Pro Leu Asp 930 935 940 Glu Phe Tyr Pro Ala Val Ser Met Val Ala Leu Met Arg Ile Phe Arg 945 950 955 960 Asp Gln Ser Leu Ser His His His Thr Met Val Val Gln Ala Ile Thr 965 970 975 Phe Ile Phe Lys Ser Leu Gly Leu Lys Cys Val Gln Phe Leu Pro Gln 980 985 990 Val Met Pro Thr Phe Leu Asn Val Ile Arg Val Cys Asp Gly Ala Ile 995 1000 1005 Arg Glu Phe Leu Phe Gln Gln Leu Gly Met Leu Val Ser Phe Val Lys 1010 1015 1020 Ser His Ile Arg Pro Tyr Met Asp Glu Ile Val Thr Leu Met Arg Glu 1025 1030 1035 1040 Phe Trp Val Met Asn Thr Ser Ile Gln Ser Thr Ile Ile Leu Leu Ile 1045 1050 1055 Glu Gln Ile Val Val Ala Leu Gly Gly Glu Phe Lys Leu Tyr Leu Pro 1060 1065 1070 Gln Leu Ile Pro His Met Leu Arg Val Phe Met His Asp Asn Ser Pro 1075 1080 1085 Gly Arg Ile Val Ser Ile Lys Leu Leu Ala Ala Ile Gln Leu Phe Gly 1090 1095 1100 Ala Asn Leu Asp Asp Tyr Leu His Leu Leu Leu Pro Pro Ile Val Lys 1105 1110 1115 1120 Leu Phe Asp Ala Pro Glu Ala Pro Leu Pro Ser Arg Lys Ala Ala Leu 1125 1130 1135 Glu Thr Val Asp Arg Leu Thr Glu Ser Leu Asp Phe Thr Asp Tyr Ala 1140 1145 1150 Ser Arg Ile Ile His Pro Ile Val Arg Thr Leu Asp Gln Ser Pro Glu 1155 1160 1165 Leu Arg Ser Thr Ala Met Asp Thr Leu Ser Ser Leu Val Phe Gln Leu 1170 1175 1180 Gly Lys Lys Tyr Gln Ile Phe Ile Pro Met Val Asn Lys Val Leu Val 1185 1190 1195 1200 Arg His Arg Ile Asn His Gln Arg Tyr Asp Val Leu Ile Cys Arg Ile 1205 1210 1215 Val Lys Gly Tyr Thr Leu Ala Asp Glu Glu Glu Asp Pro Leu Ile Tyr 1220 1225 1230 Gln His Arg Met Leu Arg Ser Gly Gln Gly Asp Ala Leu Ala Ser Gly 1235 1240 1245 Pro Val Glu Thr Gly Pro Met Lys Lys Leu His Val Ser Thr Ile Asn 1250 1255 1260 Leu Gln Lys Ala Trp Gly Ala Ala Arg Arg Val Ser Lys Asp Asp Trp 1265 1270 1275 1280 Leu Glu Trp Leu Arg Arg Leu Ser Leu Glu Leu Leu Lys Asp Ser Ser 1285 1290 1295 Ser Pro Ser Leu Arg Ser Cys Trp Ala Leu Ala Gln Ala Tyr Asn Pro 1300 1305 1310 Met Ala Arg Asp Leu Phe Asn Ala Ala Phe Val Ser Cys Trp Ser Glu 1315 1320 1325 Leu Asn Glu Asp Gln Gln Asp Glu Leu Ile Arg Ser Ile Glu Leu Ala 1330 1335 1340 Leu Thr Ser Gln Asp Ile Ala Glu Val Thr Gln Thr Leu Leu Asn Leu 1345 1350 1355 1360 Ala Glu Phe Met Glu His Ser Asp Lys Gly Pro Leu Pro Leu Arg Asp 1365 1370 1375 Asp Asn Gly Ile Val Leu Leu Gly Glu Arg Ala Ala Lys Cys Arg Ala 1380 1385 1390 Tyr Ala Lys Ala Leu His Tyr Lys Glu Leu Glu Phe Gln Lys Gly Pro 1395 1400 1405 Thr Pro Ala Ile Leu Glu Ser Leu Ile Ser Ile Asn Asn Lys Leu Gln 1410 1415 1420 Gln Pro Glu Ala Ala Ala Gly Val Leu Glu Tyr Ala Met Lys His Phe 1425 1430 1435 1440 Gly Glu Leu Glu Ile Gln Ala Thr Trp Tyr Glu Lys Leu His Glu Trp 1445 1450 1455 Glu Asp Ala Leu Val Ala Tyr Asp Lys Lys Met Asp Thr Asn Lys Asp 1460 1465 1470 Asp Pro Glu Leu Met Leu Gly Arg Met Arg Cys Leu Glu Ala Leu Gly 1475 1480 1485 Glu Trp Gly Gln Leu His Gln Gln Cys Cys Glu Lys Trp Thr Leu Val 1490 1495 1500 Asn Asp Glu Thr Gln Ala Lys Met Ala Arg Met Ala Ala Ala Ala Ala 1505 1510 1515 1520 Trp Gly Leu Gly Gln Trp Asp Ser Met Glu Glu Tyr Thr Cys Met Ile 1525 1530 1535 Pro Arg Asp Thr His Asp Gly Ala Phe Tyr Arg Ala Val Leu Ala Leu 1540 1545 1550 His Gln Asp Leu Phe Ser Leu Ala Gln Gln Cys Ile Asp Lys Ala Arg 1555 1560 1565 Asp Leu Leu Asp Ala Glu Leu Thr Ala Met Ala Gly Glu Ser Tyr Ser 1570 1575 1580 Arg Ala Tyr Gly Ala Met Val Ser Cys His Met Leu Ser Glu Leu Glu 1585 1590 1595 1600 Glu Val Ile Gln Tyr Lys Leu Val Pro Glu Arg Arg Glu Ile Ile Arg 1605 1610 1615 Gln Ile Trp Trp Glu Arg Leu Gln Gly Cys Gln Arg Ile Val Glu Asp 1620 1625 1630 Trp Gln Lys Ile Leu Met Val Arg Ser Leu Val Val Ser Pro His Glu 1635 1640 1645 Asp Met Arg Thr Trp Leu Lys Tyr Ala Ser Leu Cys Gly Lys Ser Gly 1650 1655 1660 Arg Leu Ala Leu Ala His Lys Thr Leu Val Leu Leu Leu Gly Val Asp 1665 1670 1675 1680 Pro Ser Arg Gln Leu Asp His Pro Leu Pro Thr Val His Pro Gln Val 1685 1690 1695 Thr Tyr Ala Tyr Met Lys Asn Met Trp Lys Ser Ala Arg Lys Ile Asp 1700 1705 1710 Ala Phe Gln His Met Gln His Phe Val Gln Thr Met Gln Gln Gln Ala 1715 1720 1725 Gln His Ala Ile Ala Thr Glu Asp Gln Gln His Lys Gln Glu Leu His 1730 1735 1740 Lys Leu Met Ala Arg Cys Phe Leu Lys Leu Gly Glu Trp Gln Leu Asn 1745 1750 1755 1760 Leu Gln Gly Ile Asn Glu Ser Thr Ile Pro Lys Val Leu Gln Tyr Tyr 1765 1770 1775 Ser Ala Ala Thr Glu His Asp Arg Ser Trp Tyr Lys Ala Trp His Ala 1780 1785 1790 Trp Ala Val Met Asn Phe Glu Ala Val Leu His Tyr Lys His Gln Asn 1795 1800 1805 Gln Ala Arg Asp Glu Lys Lys Lys Leu Arg His Ala Ser Gly Ala Asn 1810 1815 1820 Ile Thr Asn Ala Thr Thr Ala Ala Thr Thr Ala Ala Thr Ala Thr Thr 1825 1830 1835 1840 Thr Ala Ser Thr Glu Gly Ser Asn Ser Glu Ser Glu Ala Glu Ser Thr 1845 1850 1855 Glu Asn Ser Pro Thr Pro Ser Pro Leu Gln Lys Lys Val Thr Glu Asp 1860 1865 1870 Leu Ser Lys Thr Leu Leu Met Tyr Thr Val Pro Ala Val Gln Gly Phe 1875 1880 1885 Phe Arg Ser Ile Ser Leu Ser Arg Gly Asn Asn Leu Gln Asp Thr Leu 1890 1895 1900 Arg Val Leu Thr Leu Trp Phe Asp Tyr Gly His Trp Pro Asp Val Asn 1905 1910 1915 1920 Glu Ala Leu Val Glu Gly Val Lys Ala Ile Gln Ile Asp Thr Trp Leu 1925 1930 1935 Gln Val Ile Pro Gln Leu Ile Ala Arg Ile Asp Thr Pro Arg Pro Leu 1940 1945 1950 Val Gly Arg Leu Ile His Gln Leu Leu Thr Asp Ile Gly Arg Tyr His 1955 1960 1965 Pro Gln Ala Leu Ile Tyr Pro Leu Thr Val Ala Ser Lys Ser Thr Thr 1970 1975 1980 Thr Ala Arg His Asn Ala Ala Asn Lys Ile Leu Lys Asn Met Cys Glu 1985 1990 1995 2000 His Ser Asn Thr Leu Val Gln Gln Ala Met Met Val Ser Glu Glu Leu 2005 2010 2015 Ile Arg Val Ala Ile Leu Trp His Glu Met Trp His Glu Gly Leu Glu 2020 2025 2030 Glu Ala Ser Arg Leu Tyr Phe Gly Glu Arg Asn Val Lys Gly Met Phe 2035 2040 2045 Glu Val Leu Glu Pro Leu His Ala Met Met Glu Arg Gly Pro Gln Thr 2050 2055 2060 Leu Lys Glu Thr Ser Phe Asn Gln Ala Tyr Gly Arg Asp Leu Met Glu 2065 2070 2075 2080 Ala Gln Glu Trp Cys Arg Lys Tyr Met Lys Ser Gly Asn Val Lys Asp 2085 2090 2095 Leu Thr Gln Ala Trp Asp Leu Tyr Tyr His Val Phe Arg Arg Ile Ser 2100 2105 2110 Lys Gln Leu Pro Gln Leu Thr Ser Leu Glu Leu Gln Tyr Val Ser Pro 2115 2120 2125 Lys Leu Leu Met Cys Arg Asp Leu Glu Leu Ala Val Pro Gly Thr Tyr 2130 2135 2140 Asp Pro Asn Gln Pro Ile Ile Arg Ile Gln Ser Ile Ala Pro Ser Leu 2145 2150 2155 2160 Gln Val Ile Thr Ser Lys Gln Arg Pro Arg Lys Leu Thr Leu Met Gly 2165 2170 2175 Ser Asn Gly His Glu Phe Val Phe Leu Leu Lys Gly His Glu Asp Leu 2180 2185 2190 Arg Gln Asp Glu Arg Val Met Gln Leu Phe Gly Leu Val Asn Thr Leu 2195 2200 2205 Leu Ala Asn Asp Pro Thr Ser Leu Arg Lys Asn Leu Ser Ile Gln Arg 2210 2215 2220 Tyr Ala Val Ile Pro Leu Ser Thr Asn Ser Gly Leu Ile Gly Trp Val 2225 2230 2235 2240 Pro His Cys Asp Thr Leu His Ala Leu Ile Arg Asp Tyr Arg Glu Lys 2245 2250 2255 Lys Lys Ile Leu Leu Asn Ile Glu His Arg Ile Met Leu Arg Met Ala 2260 2265 2270 Pro Asp Tyr Asp His Leu Thr Leu Met Gln Lys Val Glu Val Phe Glu 2275 2280 2285 His Ala Val Asn Asn Thr Ala Gly Asp Asp Leu Ala Lys Leu Leu Trp 2290 2295 2300 Leu Lys Ser Pro Ser Ser Glu Val Trp Phe Asp Arg Arg Thr Asn Tyr 2305 2310 2315 2320 Thr Arg Ser Leu Ala Val Met Ser Met Val Gly Tyr Ile Leu Gly Leu 2325 2330 2335 Gly Asp Arg His Pro Ser Asn Leu Met Leu Asp Arg Leu Ser Gly Lys 2340 2345 2350 Ile Leu His Ile Asp Phe Gly Asp Cys Phe Glu Val Ala Met Thr Arg 2355 2360 2365 Glu Lys Phe Pro Glu Lys Ile Pro Phe Arg Leu Thr Arg Met Leu Thr 2370 2375 2380 Asn Ala Met Glu Val Thr Gly Leu Asp Gly Asn Tyr Arg Ile Thr Cys 2385 2390 2395 2400 His Thr Val Met Glu Val Leu Arg Glu His Lys Asp Ser Val Met Ala 2405 2410 2415 Val Leu Glu Ala Phe Val Tyr Asp Pro Leu Leu Asn Trp Arg Leu Met 2420 2425 2430 Asp Thr Asn Thr Lys Gly Asn Lys Arg Ser Arg Thr Arg Thr Asp Ser 2435 2440 2445 Tyr Ser Ala Gly Gln Ser Val Glu Ile Leu Asp Gly Val Glu Leu Gly 2450 2455 2460 Glu Pro Ala His Lys Lys Thr Gly Thr Thr Val Pro Glu Ser Ile His 2465 2470 2475 2480 Ser Phe Ile Gly Asp Gly Leu Val Lys Pro Glu Ala Leu Asn Lys Lys 2485 2490 2495 Ala Ile Gln Ile Ile Asn Arg Val Arg Asp Lys Leu Thr Gly Arg Asp 2500 2505 2510 Phe Ser His Asp Asp Thr Leu Asp Val Pro Thr Gln Val Glu Leu Leu 2515 2520 2525 Ile Lys Gln Ala Thr Ser His Glu Asn Leu Cys Gln Cys Tyr Ile Gly 2530 2535 2540 Trp Cys Pro Phe Trp 2545 3 655 PRT Homo Sapiens 3 Met Ala Glu Ala Pro Gln Val Val Glu Ile Asp Pro Asp Phe Glu Pro 1 5 10 15 Leu Pro Arg Pro Arg Ser Cys Thr Trp Pro Leu Pro Arg Pro Glu Phe 20 25 30 Ser Gln Ser Asn Ser Ala Thr Ser Ser Pro Ala Pro Ser Gly Ser Ala 35 40 45 Ala Ala Asn Pro Asp Ala Ala Ala Gly Leu Pro Ser Ala Ser Ala Ala 50 55 60 Ala Val Ser Ala Asp Phe Met Ser Asn Leu Ser Leu Leu Glu Glu Ser 65 70 75 80 Glu Asp Phe Pro Gln Ala Pro Gly Ser Val Ala Ala Ala Val Ala Ala 85 90 95 Ala Ala Ala Ala Ala Ala Thr Gly Gly Leu Cys Gly Asp Phe Gln Gly 100 105 110 Pro Glu Ala Gly Cys Leu His Pro Ala Pro Pro Gln Pro Pro Pro Pro 115 120 125 Gly Pro Leu Ser Gln His Pro Pro Val Pro Pro Ala Ala Ala Gly Pro 130 135 140 Leu Ala Gly Gln Pro Arg Lys Ser Ser Ser Ser Arg Arg Asn Ala Trp 145 150 155 160 Gly Asn Leu Ser Tyr Ala Asp Leu Ile Thr Lys Ala Ile Glu Ser Ser 165 170 175 Ala Glu Lys Arg Leu Thr Leu Ser Gln Ile Tyr Glu Trp Met Val Lys 180 185 190 Ser Val Pro Tyr Phe Lys Asp Lys Gly Asp Ser Asn Ser Ser Ala Gly 195 200 205 Trp Lys Asn Ser Ile Arg His Asn Leu Ser Leu His Ser Lys Phe Ile 210 215 220 Arg Val Gln Asn Glu Gly Thr Gly Lys Ser Ser Trp Trp Met Leu Asn 225 230 235 240 Pro Glu Gly Gly Lys Ser Gly Lys Ser Pro Arg Arg Arg Ala Ala Ser 245 250 255 Met Asp Asn Asn Ser Lys Phe Ala Lys Ser Arg Ser Arg Ala Ala Lys 260 265 270 Lys Lys Ala Ser Leu Gln Ser Gly Gln Glu Gly Ala Gly Asp Ser Pro 275 280 285 Gly Ser Gln Phe Ser Lys Trp Pro Ala Ser Pro Gly Ser His Ser Asn 290 295 300 Asp Asp Phe Asp Asn Trp Ser Thr Phe Arg Pro Arg Thr Ser Ser Asn 305 310 315 320 Ala Ser Thr Ile Ser Gly Arg Leu Ser Pro Ile Met Thr Glu Gln Asp 325 330 335 Asp Leu Gly Glu Gly Asp Val His Ser Met Val Tyr Pro Pro Ser Ala 340 345 350 Ala Lys Met Ala Ser Thr Leu Pro Ser Leu Ser Glu Ile Ser Asn Pro 355 360 365 Glu Asn Met Glu Asn Leu Leu Asp Asn Leu Asn Leu Leu Ser Ser Pro 370 375 380 Thr Ser Leu Thr Val Ser Thr Gln Ser Ser Pro Gly Thr Met Met Gln 385 390 395 400 Gln Thr Pro Cys Tyr Ser Phe Ala Pro Pro Asn Thr Ser Leu Asn Ser 405 410 415 Pro Ser Pro Asn Tyr Gln Lys Tyr Thr Tyr Gly Gln Ser Ser Met Ser 420 425 430 Pro Leu Pro Gln Met Pro Ile Gln Thr Leu Gln Asp Asn Lys Ser Ser 435 440 445 Tyr Gly Gly Met Ser Gln Tyr Asn Cys Ala Pro Gly Leu Leu Lys Glu 450 455 460 Leu Leu Thr Ser Asp Ser Pro Pro His Asn Asp Ile Met Thr Pro Val 465 470 475 480 Asp Pro Gly Val Ala Gln Pro Asn Ser Arg Val Leu Gly Gln Asn Val 485 490 495 Met Met Gly Pro Asn Ser Val Met Ser Thr Tyr Gly Ser Gln Ala Ser 500 505 510 His Asn Lys Met Met Asn Pro Ser Ser His Thr His Pro Gly His Ala 515 520 525 Gln Gln Thr Ser Ala Val Asn Gly Arg Pro Leu Pro His Thr Val Ser 530 535 540 Thr Met Pro His Thr Ser Gly Met Asn Arg Leu Thr Gln Val Lys Thr 545 550 555 560 Pro Val Gln Val Pro Leu Pro His Pro Met Gln Met Ser Ala Leu Gly 565 570 575 Gly Tyr Ser Ser Val Ser Ser Cys Asn Gly Tyr Gly Arg Met Gly Leu 580 585 590 Leu His Gln Glu Lys Leu Pro Ser Asp Leu Asp Gly Met Phe Ile Glu 595 600 605 Arg Leu Asp Cys Asp Met Glu Ser Ile Ile Arg Asn Asp Leu Met Asp 610 615 620 Gly Asp Thr Leu Asp Phe Asn Phe Asp Asn Val Leu Pro Asn Gln Ser 625 630 635 640 Phe Pro His Ser Val Lys Thr Thr Thr His Ser Trp Val Ser Gly 645 650 655 4 480 PRT Homo Sapiens 4 Met Ser Asp Val Ala Ile Val Lys Glu Gly Trp Leu His Lys Arg Gly 1 5 10 15 Glu Tyr Ile Lys Thr Trp Arg Pro Arg Tyr Phe Leu Leu Lys Asn Asp 20 25 30 Gly Thr Phe Ile Gly Tyr Lys Glu Arg Pro Gln Asp Val Asp Gln Arg 35 40 45 Glu Ala Pro Leu Asn Asn Phe Ser Val Ala Gln Cys Gln Leu Met Lys 50 55 60 Thr Glu Arg Pro Arg Pro Asn Thr Phe Ile Ile Arg Cys Leu Gln Trp 65 70 75 80 Thr Thr Val Ile Glu Arg Thr Phe His Val Glu Thr Pro Glu Glu Arg 85 90 95 Glu Glu Trp Thr Thr Ala Ile Gln Thr Val Ala Asp Gly Leu Lys Lys 100 105 110 Gln Glu Glu Glu Glu Met Asp Phe Arg Ser Gly Ser Pro Ser Asp Asn 115 120 125 Ser Gly Ala Glu Glu Met Glu Val Ser Leu Ala Lys Pro Lys His Arg 130 135 140 Val Thr Met Asn Glu Phe Glu Tyr Leu Lys Leu Leu Gly Lys Gly Thr 145 150 155 160 Phe Gly Lys Val Ile Leu Val Lys Glu Lys Ala Thr Gly Arg Tyr Tyr 165 170 175 Ala Met Lys Ile Leu Lys Lys Glu Val Ile Val Ala Lys Asp Glu Val 180 185 190 Ala His Thr Leu Thr Glu Asn Arg Val Leu Gln Asn Ser Arg His Pro 195 200 205 Phe Leu Thr Ala Leu Lys Tyr Ser Phe Gln Thr His Asp Arg Leu Cys 210 215 220 Phe Val Met Glu Tyr Ala Asn Gly Gly Glu Leu Phe Phe His Leu Ser 225 230 235 240 Arg Glu Arg Val Phe Ser Glu Asp Arg Ala Arg Phe Tyr Gly Ala Glu 245 250 255 Ile Val Ser Ala Leu Asp Tyr Leu His Ser Glu Lys Asn Val Val Tyr 260 265 270 Arg Asp Leu Lys Leu Glu Asn Leu Met Leu Asp Lys Asp Gly His Ile 275 280 285 Lys Ile Thr Asp Phe Gly Leu Cys Lys Glu Gly Ile Lys Asp Gly Ala 290 295 300 Thr Met Lys Thr Phe Cys Gly Thr Pro Glu Tyr Leu Ala Pro Glu Val 305 310 315 320 Leu Glu Asp Asn Asp Tyr Gly Arg Ala Val Asp Trp Trp Gly Leu Gly 325 330 335 Val Val Met Tyr Glu Met Met Cys Gly Arg Leu Pro Phe Tyr Asn Gln 340 345 350 Asp His Glu Lys Leu Phe Glu Leu Ile Leu Met Glu Glu Ile Arg Phe 355 360 365 Pro Arg Thr Leu Gly Pro Glu Ala Lys Ser Leu Leu Ser Gly Leu Leu 370 375 380 Lys Lys Asp Pro Lys Gln Arg Leu Gly Gly Gly Ser Glu Asp Ala Lys 385 390 395 400 Glu Ile Met Gln His Arg Phe Phe Ala Gly Ile Val Trp Gln His Val 405 410 415 Tyr Glu Lys Lys Leu Ser Pro Pro Phe Lys Pro Gln Val Thr Ser Glu 420 425 430 Thr Asp Thr Arg Tyr Phe Asp Glu Glu Phe Thr Ala Gln Met Ile Thr 435 440 445 Ile Thr Pro Pro Asp Gln Asp Asp Ser Met Glu Cys Val Asp Ser Glu 450 455 460 Arg Arg Pro His Phe Pro Gln Phe Ser Tyr Ser Ala Ser Ser Thr Ala 465 470 475 480 5 403 PRT Homo Sapiens 5 Met Thr Ala Ile Ile Lys Glu Ile Val Ser Arg Asn Lys Arg Arg Tyr 1 5 10 15 Gln Glu Asp Gly Phe Asp Leu Asp Leu Thr Tyr Ile Tyr Pro Asn Ile 20 25 30 Ile Ala Met Gly Phe Pro Ala Glu Arg Leu Glu Gly Val Tyr Arg Asn 35 40 45 Asn Ile Asp Asp Val Val Arg Phe Leu Asp Ser Lys His Lys Asn His 50 55 60 Tyr Lys Ile Tyr Asn Leu Cys Ala Glu Arg His Tyr Asp Thr Ala Lys 65 70 75 80 Phe Asn Cys Arg Val Ala Gln Tyr Pro Phe Glu Asp His Asn Pro Pro 85 90 95 Gln Leu Glu Leu Ile Lys Pro Phe Cys Glu Asp Leu Asp Gln Trp Leu 100 105 110 Ser Glu Asp Asp Asn His Val Ala Ala Ile His Cys Lys Ala Gly Lys 115 120 125 Gly Arg Thr Gly Val Met Ile Cys Ala Tyr Leu Leu His Arg Gly Lys 130 135 140 Phe Leu Lys Ala Gln Glu Ala Leu Asp Phe Tyr Gly Glu Val Arg Thr 145 150 155 160 Arg Asp Lys Lys Gly Val Thr Ile Pro Ser Gln Arg Arg Tyr Val Tyr 165 170 175 Tyr Tyr Ser Tyr Leu Leu Lys Asn His Leu Asp Tyr Arg Pro Val Ala 180 185 190 Leu Leu Phe His Lys Met Met Phe Glu Thr Ile Pro Met Phe Ser Gly 195 200 205 Gly Thr Cys Asn Pro Gln Phe Val Val Cys Gln Leu Lys Val Lys Ile 210 215 220 Tyr Ser Ser Asn Ser Gly Pro Thr Arg Arg Glu Asp Lys Phe Met Tyr 225 230 235 240 Phe Glu Phe Pro Gln Pro Leu Pro Val Cys Gly Asp Ile Lys Val Glu 245 250 255 Phe Phe His Lys Gln Asn Lys Met Leu Lys Lys Asp Lys Met Phe His 260 265 270 Phe Trp Val Asn Thr Phe Phe Ile Pro Gly Pro Glu Glu Thr Ser Glu 275 280 285 Lys Val Glu Asn Gly Ser Leu Cys Asp Gln Glu Ile Asp Ser Ile Cys 290 295 300 Ser Ile Glu Arg Ala Asp Asn Asp Lys Glu Tyr Leu Val Leu Thr Leu 305 310 315 320 Thr Lys Asn Asp Leu Asp Lys Ala Asn Lys Asp Lys Ala Asn Arg Tyr 325 330 335 Phe Ser Pro Asn Phe Lys Val Lys Leu Tyr Phe Thr Lys Thr Val Glu 340 345 350 Glu Pro Ser Asn Pro Glu Ala Ser Ser Ser Thr Ser Val Thr Pro Asp 355 360 365 Val Ser Asp Asn Glu Pro Asp His Tyr Arg Tyr Ser Asp Thr Thr Asp 370 375 380 Ser Asp Pro Glu Asn Glu Pro Phe Asp Glu Asp Gln His Thr Gln Ile 385 390 395 400 Thr Lys Val 6 673 PRT Homo Sapiens 6 Met Ala Glu Ala Pro Ala Ser Pro Ala Pro Leu Ser Pro Leu Glu Val 1 5 10 15 Glu Leu Asp Pro Glu Phe Glu Pro Gln Ser Arg Pro Arg Ser Cys Thr 20 25 30 Trp Pro Leu Gln Arg Pro Glu Leu Gln Ala Ser Pro Ala Lys Pro Ser 35 40 45 Gly Glu Thr Ala Ala Asp Ser Met Ile Pro Glu Glu Glu Asp Asp Glu 50 55 60 Asp Asp Glu Asp Gly Gly Gly Arg Ala Gly Ser Ala Met Ala Ile Gly 65 70 75 80 Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Thr Leu Gly Ser Gly Leu Leu Leu Glu Asp 85 90 95 Ser Ala Arg Val Leu Ala Pro Gly Gly Gln Asp Pro Gly Ser Gly Pro 100 105 110 Ala Thr Ala Ala Gly Gly Leu Ser Gly Gly Thr Gln Ala Leu Leu Gln 115 120 125 Pro Gln Gln Pro Leu Pro Pro Pro Gln Pro Gly Ala Ala Gly Gly Ser 130 135 140 Gly Gln Pro Arg Lys Cys Ser Ser Arg Arg Asn Ala Trp Gly Asn Leu 145 150 155 160 Ser Tyr Ala Asp Leu Ile Thr Arg Ala Ile Glu Ser Ser Pro Asp Lys 165 170 175 Arg Leu Thr Leu Ser Gln Ile Tyr Glu Trp Met Val Arg Cys Val Pro 180 185 190 Tyr Phe Lys Asp Lys Gly Asp Ser Asn Ser Ser Ala Gly Trp Lys Asn 195 200 205 Ser Ile Arg His Asn Leu Ser Leu His Ser Arg Phe Met Arg Val Gln 210 215 220 Asn Glu Gly Thr Gly Lys Ser Ser Trp Trp Ile Ile Asn Pro Asp Gly 225 230 235 240 Gly Lys Ser Gly Lys Ala Pro Arg Arg Arg Ala Val Ser Met Asp Asn 245 250 255 Ser Asn Lys Tyr Thr Lys Ser Arg Gly Arg Ala Ala Lys Lys Lys Ala 260 265 270 Ala Leu Gln Thr Ala Pro Glu Ser Ala Asp Asp Ser Pro Ser Gln Leu 275 280 285 Ser Lys Trp Pro Gly Ser Pro Thr Ser Arg Ser Ser Asp Glu Leu Asp 290 295 300 Ala Trp Thr Asp Phe Arg Ser Arg Thr Asn Ser Asn Ala Ser Thr Val 305 310 315 320 Ser Gly Arg Leu Ser Pro Ile Met Ala Ser Thr Glu Leu Asp Glu Val 325 330 335 Gln Asp Asp Asp Ala Pro Leu Ser Pro Met Leu Tyr Ser Ser Ser Ala 340 345 350 Ser Leu Ser Pro Ser Val Ser Lys Pro Cys Thr Val Glu Leu Pro Arg 355 360 365 Leu Thr Asp Met Ala Gly Thr Met Asn Leu Asn Asp Gly Leu Thr Glu 370 375 380 Asn Leu Met Asp Asp Leu Leu Asp Asn Ile Thr Leu Pro Pro Ser Gln 385 390 395 400 Pro Ser Pro Thr Gly Gly Leu Met Gln Arg Ser Ser Ser Phe Pro Tyr 405 410 415 Thr Thr Lys Gly Ser Gly Leu Gly Ser Pro Thr Ser Ser Phe Asn Ser 420 425 430 Thr Val Phe Gly Pro Ser Ser Leu Asn Ser Leu Arg Gln Ser Pro Met 435 440 445 Gln Thr Ile Gln Glu Asn Lys Pro Ala Thr Phe Ser Ser Met Ser His 450 455 460 Tyr Gly Asn Gln Thr Leu Gln Asp Leu Leu Thr Ser Asp Ser Leu Ser 465 470 475 480 His Ser Asp Val Met Met Thr Gln Ser Asp Pro Leu Met Ser Gln Ala 485 490 495 Ser Thr Ala Val Ser Ala Gln Asn Ser Arg Arg Asn Val Met Leu Arg 500 505 510 Asn Asp Pro Met Met Ser Phe Ala Ala Gln Pro Asn Gln Gly Ser Leu 515 520 525 Val Asn Gln Asn Leu Leu His His Gln His Gln Thr Gln Gly Ala Leu 530 535 540 Gly Gly Ser Arg Ala Leu Ser Asn Ser Val Ser Asn Met Gly Leu Ser 545 550 555 560 Glu Ser Ser Ser Leu Gly Ser Ala Lys His Gln Gln Gln Ser Pro Val 565 570 575 Ser Gln Ser Met Gln Thr Leu Ser Asp Ser Leu Ser Gly Ser Ser Leu 580 585 590 Tyr Ser Thr Ser Ala Asn Leu Pro Val Met Gly His Glu Lys Phe Pro 595 600 605 Ser Asp Leu Asp Leu Asp Met Phe Asn Gly Ser Leu Glu Cys Asp Met 610 615 620 Glu Ser Ile Ile Arg Ser Glu Leu Met Asp Ala Asp Gly Leu Asp Phe 625 630 635 640 Asn Phe Asp Ser Leu Ile Ser Thr Gln Asn Val Val Gly Leu Asn Val 645 650 655 Gly Asn Phe Thr Gly Ala Lys Gln Ala Ser Ser Gln Ser Trp Val Pro 660 665 670 Gly 7 1210 PRT Homo Sapiens 7 Met Arg Pro Ser Gly Thr Ala Gly Ala Ala Leu Leu Ala Leu Leu Ala 1 5 10 15 Ala Leu Cys Pro Ala Ser Arg Ala Leu Glu Glu Lys Lys Val Cys Gln 20 25 30 Gly Thr Ser Asn Lys Leu Thr Gln Leu Gly Thr Phe Glu Asp His Phe 35 40 45 Leu Ser Leu Gln Arg Met Phe Asn Asn Cys Glu Val Val Leu Gly Asn 50 55 60 Leu Glu Ile Thr Tyr Val Gln Arg Asn Tyr Asp Leu Ser Phe Leu Lys 65 70 75 80 Thr Ile Gln Glu Val Ala Gly Tyr Val Leu Ile Ala Leu Asn Thr Val 85 90 95 Glu Arg Ile Pro Leu Glu Asn Leu Gln Ile Ile Arg Gly Asn Met Tyr 100 105 110 Tyr Glu Asn Ser Tyr Ala Leu Ala Val Leu Ser Asn Tyr Asp Ala Asn 115 120 125 Lys Thr Gly Leu Lys Glu Leu Pro Met Arg Asn Leu Gln Glu Ile Leu 130 135 140 His Gly Ala Val Arg Phe Ser Asn Asn Pro Ala Leu Cys Asn Val Glu 145 150 155 160 Ser Ile Gln Trp Arg Asp Ile Val Ser Ser Asp Phe Leu Ser Asn Met 165 170 175 Ser Met Asp Phe Gln Asn His Leu Gly Ser Cys Gln Lys Cys Asp Pro 180 185 190 Ser Cys Pro Asn Gly Ser Cys Trp Gly Ala Gly Glu Glu Asn Cys Gln 195 200 205 Lys Leu Thr Lys Ile Ile Cys Ala Gln Gln Cys Ser Gly Arg Cys Arg 210 215 220 Gly Lys Ser Pro Ser Asp Cys Cys His Asn Gln Cys Ala Ala Gly Cys 225 230 235 240 Thr Gly Pro Arg Glu Ser Asp Cys Leu Val Cys Arg Lys Phe Arg Asp 245 250 255 Glu Ala Thr Cys Lys Asp Thr Cys Pro Pro Leu Met Leu Tyr Asn Pro 260 265 270 Thr Thr Tyr Gln Met Asp Val Asn Pro Glu Gly Lys Tyr Ser Phe Gly 275 280 285 Ala Thr Cys Val Lys Lys Cys Pro Arg Asn Tyr Val Val Thr Asp His 290 295 300 Gly Ser Cys Val Arg Ala Cys Gly Ala Asp Ser Tyr Glu Met Glu Glu 305 310 315 320 Asp Gly Val Arg Lys Cys Lys Lys Cys Glu Gly Pro Cys Arg Lys Val 325 330 335 Cys Asn Gly Ile Gly Ile Gly Glu Phe Lys Asp Ser Leu Ser Ile Asn 340 345 350 Ala Thr Asn Ile Lys His Phe Lys Asn Cys Thr Ser Ile Ser Gly Asp 355 360 365 Leu His Ile Leu Pro Val Ala Phe Arg Gly Asp Ser Phe Thr His Thr 370 375 380 Pro Pro Leu Asp Pro Gln Glu Leu Asp Ile Leu Lys Thr Val Lys Glu 385 390 395 400 Ile Thr Gly Phe Leu Leu Ile Gln Ala Trp Pro Glu Asn Arg Thr Asp 405 410 415 Leu His Ala Phe Glu Asn Leu Glu Ile Ile Arg Gly Arg Thr Lys Gln 420 425 430 His Gly Gln Phe Ser Leu Ala Val Val Ser Leu Asn Ile Thr Ser Leu 435 440 445 Gly Leu Arg Ser Leu Lys Glu Ile Ser Asp Gly Asp Val Ile Ile Ser 450 455 460 Gly Asn Lys Asn Leu Cys Tyr Ala Asn Thr Ile Asn Trp Lys Lys Leu 465 470 475 480 Phe Gly Thr Ser Gly Gln Lys Thr Lys Ile Ile Ser Asn Arg Gly Glu 485 490 495 Asn Ser Cys Lys Ala Thr Gly Gln Val Cys His Ala Leu Cys Ser Pro 500 505 510 Glu Gly Cys Trp Gly Pro Glu Pro Arg Asp Cys Val Ser Cys Arg Asn 515 520 525 Val Ser Arg Gly Arg Glu Cys Val Asp Lys Cys Asn Leu Leu Glu Gly 530 535 540 Glu Pro Arg Glu Phe Val Glu Asn Ser Glu Cys Ile Gln Cys His Pro 545 550 555 560 Glu Cys Leu Pro Gln Ala Met Asn Ile Thr Cys Thr Gly Arg Gly Pro 565 570 575 Asp Asn Cys Ile Gln Cys Ala His Tyr Ile Asp Gly Pro His Cys Val 580 585 590 Lys Thr Cys Pro Ala Gly Val Met Gly Glu Asn Asn Thr Leu Val Trp 595 600 605 Lys Tyr Ala Asp Ala Gly His Val Cys His Leu Cys His Pro Asn Cys 610 615 620 Thr Tyr Gly Cys Thr Gly Pro Gly Leu Glu Gly Cys Pro Thr Asn Gly 625 630 635 640 Pro Lys Ile Pro Ser Ile Ala Thr Gly Met Val Gly Ala Leu Leu Leu 645 650 655 Leu Leu Val Val Ala Leu Gly Ile Gly Leu Phe Met Arg Arg Arg His 660 665 670 Ile Val Arg Lys Arg Thr Leu Arg Arg Leu Leu Gln Glu Arg Glu Leu 675 680 685 Val Glu Pro Leu Thr Pro Ser Gly Glu Ala Pro Asn Gln Ala Leu Leu 690 695 700 Arg Ile Leu Lys Glu Thr Glu Phe Lys Lys Ile Lys Val Leu Gly Ser 705 710 715 720 Gly Ala Phe Gly Thr Val Tyr Lys Gly Leu Trp Ile Pro Glu Gly Glu 725 730 735 Lys Val Lys Ile Pro Val Ala Ile Lys Glu Leu Arg Glu Ala Thr Ser 740 745 750 Pro Lys Ala Asn Lys Glu Ile Leu Asp Glu Ala Tyr Val Met Ala Ser 755 760 765 Val Asp Asn Pro His Val Cys Arg Leu Leu Gly Ile Cys Leu Thr Ser 770 775 780 Thr Val Gln Leu Ile Thr Gln Leu Met Pro Phe Gly Cys Leu Leu Asp 785 790 795 800 Tyr Val Arg Glu His Lys Asp Asn Ile Gly Ser Gln Tyr Leu Leu Asn 805 810 815 Trp Cys Val Gln Ile Ala Lys Gly Met Asn Tyr Leu Glu Asp Arg Arg 820 825 830 Leu Val His Arg Asp Leu Ala Ala Arg Asn Val Leu Val Lys Thr Pro 835 840 845 Gln His Val Lys Ile Thr Asp Phe Gly Leu Ala Lys Leu Leu Gly Ala 850 855 860 Glu Glu Lys Glu Tyr His Ala Glu Gly Gly Lys Val Pro Ile Lys Trp 865 870 875 880 Met Ala Leu Glu Ser Ile Leu His Arg Ile Tyr Thr His Gln Ser Asp 885 890 895 Val Trp Ser Tyr Gly Val Thr Val Trp Glu Leu Met Thr Phe Gly Ser 900 905 910 Lys Pro Tyr Asp Gly Ile Pro Ala Ser Glu Ile Ser Ser Ile Leu Glu 915 920 925 Lys Gly Glu Arg Leu Pro Gln Pro Pro Ile Cys Thr Ile Asp Val Tyr 930 935 940 Met Ile Met Val Lys Cys Trp Met Ile Asp Ala Asp Ser Arg Pro Lys 945 950 955 960 Phe Arg Glu Leu Ile Ile Glu Phe Ser Lys Met Ala Arg Asp Pro Gln 965 970 975 Arg Tyr Leu Val Ile Gln Gly Asp Glu Arg Met His Leu Pro Ser Pro 980 985 990 Thr Asp Ser Asn Phe Tyr Arg Ala Leu Met Asp Glu Glu Asp Met Asp 995 1000 1005 Asp Val Val Asp Ala Asp Glu Tyr Leu Ile Pro Gln Gln Gly Phe Phe 1010 1015 1020 Ser Ser Pro Ser Thr Ser Arg Thr Pro Leu Leu Ser Ser Leu Ser Ala 1025 1030 1035 1040 Thr Ser Asn Asn Ser Thr Val Ala Cys Ile Asp Arg Asn Gly Leu Gln 1045 1050 1055 Ser Cys Pro Ile Lys Glu Asp Ser Phe Leu Gln Arg Tyr Ser Ser Asp 1060 1065 1070 Pro Thr Gly Ala Leu Thr Glu Asp Ser Ile Asp Asp Thr Phe Leu Pro 1075 1080 1085 Val Pro Glu Tyr Ile Asn Gln Ser Val Pro Lys Arg Pro Ala Gly Ser 1090 1095 1100 Val Gln Asn Pro Val Tyr His Asn Gln Pro Leu Asn Pro Ala Pro Ser 1105 1110 1115 1120 Arg Asp Pro His Tyr Gln Asp Pro His Ser Thr Ala Val Gly Asn Pro 1125 1130 1135 Glu Tyr Leu Asn Thr Val Gln Pro Thr Cys Val Asn Ser Thr Phe Asp 1140 1145 1150 Ser Pro Ala His Trp Ala Gln Lys Gly Ser His Gln Ile Ser Leu Asp 1155 1160 1165 Asn Pro Asp Tyr Gln Gln Asp Phe Phe Pro Lys Glu Ala Lys Pro Asn 1170 1175 1180 Gly Ile Phe Lys Gly Ser Thr Ala Glu Asn Ala Glu Tyr Leu Arg Val 1185 1190 1195 1200 Ala Pro Gln Ser Ser Glu Phe Ile Gly Ala 1205 1210 8 379 PRT Homo Sapiens 8 Met Ala Ala Ala Ala Ala Gln Gly Gly Gly Gly Gly Glu Pro Arg Arg 1 5 10 15 Thr Glu Gly Val Gly Pro Gly Val Pro Gly Glu Val Glu Met Val Lys 20 25 30 Gly Gln Pro Phe Asp Val Gly Pro Arg Tyr Thr Gln Leu Gln Tyr Ile 35 40 45 Gly Glu Gly Ala Tyr Gly Met Val Ser Ser Ala Tyr Asp His Val Arg 50 55 60 Lys Thr Arg Val Ala Ile Lys Lys Ile Ser Pro Phe Glu His Gln Thr 65 70 75 80 Tyr Cys Gln Arg Thr Leu Arg Glu Ile Gln Ile Leu Leu Arg Phe Arg 85 90 95 His Glu Asn Val Ile Gly Ile Arg Asp Ile Leu Arg Ala Ser Thr Leu 100 105 110 Glu Ala Met Arg Asp Val Tyr Ile Val Gln Asp Leu Met Glu Thr Asp 115 120 125 Leu Tyr Lys Leu Leu Lys Ser Gln Gln Leu Ser Asn Asp His Ile Cys 130 135 140 Tyr Phe Leu Tyr Gln Ile Leu Arg Gly Leu Lys Tyr Ile His Ser Ala 145 150 155 160 Asn Val Leu His Arg Asp Leu Lys Pro Ser Asn Leu Leu Ile Asn Thr 165 170 175 Thr Cys Asp Leu Lys Ile Cys Asp Phe Gly Leu Ala Arg Ile Ala Asp 180 185 190 Pro Glu His Asp His Thr Gly Phe Leu Thr Glu Tyr Val Ala Thr Arg 195 200 205 Trp Tyr Arg Ala Pro Glu Ile Met Leu Asn Ser Lys Gly Tyr Thr Lys 210 215 220 Ser Ile Asp Ile Trp Ser Val Gly Cys Ile Leu Ala Glu Met Leu Ser 225 230 235 240 Asn Arg Pro Ile Phe Pro Gly Lys His Tyr Leu Asp Gln Leu Asn His 245 250 255 Ile Leu Gly Ile Leu Gly Ser Pro Ser Gln Glu Asp Leu Asn Cys Ile 260 265 270 Ile Asn Met Lys Ala Arg Asn Tyr Leu Gln Ser Leu Pro Ser Lys Thr 275 280 285 Lys Val Ala Trp Ala Lys Leu Phe Pro Lys Ser Asp Ser Lys Ala Leu 290 295 300 Asp Leu Leu Asp Arg Met Leu Thr Phe Asn Pro Asn Lys Arg Ile Thr 305 310 315 320 Val Glu Glu Ala Leu Ala His Pro Tyr Leu Glu Gln Tyr Tyr Asp Pro 325 330 335 Thr Asp Glu Pro Val Ala Glu Glu Pro Phe Thr Phe Ala Met Glu Leu 340 345 350 Asp Asp Leu Pro Lys Glu Arg Leu Lys Glu Leu Ile Phe Gln Glu Thr 355 360 365 Ala Arg Phe Gln Pro Gly Val Leu Glu Ala Pro 370 375 9 3256 PRT Homo Sapiens 9 Met Trp Pro Thr Arg Arg Leu Val Thr Ile Lys Arg Ser Gly Val Asp 1 5 10 15 Gly Pro His Phe Pro Leu Ser Leu Ser Thr Cys Leu Phe Gly Arg Gly 20 25 30 Ile Glu Cys Asp Ile Arg Ile Gln Leu Pro Val Val Ser Lys Gln His 35 40 45 Cys Lys Ile Glu Ile His Glu Gln Glu Ala Ile Leu His Asn Phe Ser 50 55 60 Ser Thr Asn Pro Thr Gln Val Asn Gly Ser Val Ile Asp Glu Pro Val 65 70 75 80 Arg Leu Lys His Gly Asp Val Ile Thr Ile Ile Asp Arg Ser Phe Arg 85 90 95 Tyr Glu Asn Glu Ser Leu Gln Asn Gly Arg Lys Ser Thr Glu Phe Pro 100 105 110 Arg Lys Ile Arg Glu Gln Glu Pro Ala Arg Arg Val Ser Arg Ser Ser 115 120 125 Phe Ser Ser Asp Pro Asp Glu Lys Ala Gln Asp Ser Lys Ala Tyr Ser 130 135 140 Lys Ile Thr Glu Gly Lys Val Ser Gly Asn Pro Gln Val His Ile Lys 145 150 155 160 Asn Val Lys Glu Asp Ser Thr Ala Asp Asp Ser Lys Asp Ser Val Ala 165 170 175 Gln Gly Thr Thr Asn Val His Ser Ser Glu His Ala Gly Arg Asn Gly 180 185 190 Arg Asn Ala Ala Asp Pro Ile Ser Gly Asp Phe Lys Glu Ile Ser Ser 195 200 205 Val Lys Leu Val Ser Arg Tyr Gly Glu Leu Lys Ser Val Pro Thr Thr 210 215 220 Gln Cys Leu Asp Asn Ser Lys Lys Asn Glu Ser Pro Phe Trp Lys Leu 225 230 235 240 Tyr Glu Ser Val Lys Lys Glu Leu Asp Val Lys Ser Gln Lys Glu Asn 245 250 255 Val Leu Gln Tyr Cys Arg Lys Ser Gly Leu Gln Thr Asp Tyr Ala Thr 260 265 270 Glu Lys Glu Ser Ala Asp Gly Leu Gln Gly Glu Thr Gln Leu Leu Val 275 280 285 Ser Arg Lys Ser Arg Pro Lys Ser Gly Gly Ser Gly His Ala Val Ala 290 295 300 Glu Pro Ala Ser Pro Glu Gln Glu Leu Asp Gln Asn Lys Gly Lys Gly 305 310 315 320 Arg Asp Val Glu Ser Val Gln Thr Pro Ser Lys Ala Val Gly Ala Ser 325 330 335 Phe Pro Leu Tyr Glu Pro Ala Lys Met Lys Thr Pro Val Gln Tyr Ser 340 345 350 Gln Gln Gln Asn Ser Pro Gln Lys His Lys Asn Lys Asp Leu Tyr Thr 355 360 365 Thr Gly Arg Arg Glu Ser Val Asn Leu Gly Lys Ser Glu Gly Phe Lys 370 375 380 Ala Gly Asp Lys Thr Leu Thr Pro Arg Lys Leu Ser Thr Arg Asn Arg 385 390 395 400 Thr Pro Ala Lys Val Glu Asp Ala Ala Asp Ser Ala Thr Lys Pro Glu 405 410 415 Asn Leu Ser Ser Lys Thr Arg Gly Ser Ile Pro Thr Asp Val Glu Val 420 425 430 Leu Pro Thr Glu Thr Glu Ile His Asn Glu Pro Phe Leu Thr Leu Trp 435 440 445 Leu Thr Gln Val Glu Arg Lys Ile Gln Lys Asp Ser Leu Ser Lys Pro 450 455 460 Glu Lys Leu Gly Thr Thr Ala Gly Gln Met Cys Ser Gly Leu Pro Gly 465 470 475 480 Leu Ser Ser Val Asp Ile Asn Asn Phe Gly Asp Ser Ile Asn Glu Ser 485 490 495 Glu Gly Ile Pro Leu Lys Arg Arg Arg Val Ser Phe Gly Gly His Leu 500 505 510 Arg Pro Glu Leu Phe Asp Glu Asn Leu Pro Pro Asn Thr Pro Leu Lys 515 520 525 Arg Gly Glu Ala Pro Thr Lys Arg Lys Ser Leu Val Met His Thr Pro 530 535 540 Pro Val Leu Lys Lys Ile Ile Lys Glu Gln Pro Gln Pro Ser Gly Lys 545 550 555 560 Gln Glu Ser Gly Ser Glu Ile His Val Glu Val Lys Ala Gln Ser Leu 565 570 575 Val Ile Ser Pro Pro Ala Pro Ser Pro Arg Lys Thr Pro Val Ala Ser 580 585 590 Asp Gln Arg Arg Arg Ser Cys Lys Thr Ala Pro Ala Ser Ser Ser Lys 595 600 605 Ser Gln Thr Glu Val Pro Lys Arg Gly Gly Glu Arg Val Ala Thr Cys 610 615 620 Leu Gln Lys Arg Val Ser Ile Ser Arg Ser Gln His Asp Ile Leu Gln 625 630 635 640 Met Ile Cys Ser Lys Arg Arg Ser Gly Ala Ser Glu Ala Asn Leu Ile 645 650 655 Val Ala Lys Ser Trp Ala Asp Val Val Lys Leu Gly Ala Lys Gln Thr 660 665 670 Gln Thr Lys Val Ile Lys His Gly Pro Gln Arg Ser Met Asn Lys Arg 675 680 685 Gln Arg Arg Pro Ala Thr Pro Lys Lys Pro Val Gly Glu Val His Ser 690 695 700 Gln Phe Ser Thr Gly His Ala Asn Ser Pro Cys Thr Ile Ile Ile Gly 705 710 715 720 Lys Ala His Thr Glu Lys Val His Val Pro Ala Arg Pro Tyr Arg Val 725 730 735 Leu Asn Asn Phe Ile Ser Asn Gln Lys Met Asp Phe Lys Glu Asp Leu 740 745 750 Ser Gly Ile Ala Glu Met Phe Lys Thr Pro Val Lys Glu Gln Pro Gln 755 760 765 Leu Thr Ser Thr Cys His Ile Ala Ile Ser Asn Ser Glu Asn Leu Leu 770 775 780 Gly Lys Gln Phe Gln Gly Thr Asp Ser Gly Glu Glu Pro Leu Leu Pro 785 790 795 800 Thr Ser Glu Ser Phe Gly Gly Asn Val Phe Phe Ser Ala Gln Asn Ala 805 810 815 Ala Lys Gln Pro Ser Asp Lys Cys Ser Ala Ser Pro Pro Leu Arg Arg 820 825 830 Gln Cys Ile Arg Glu Asn Gly Asn Val Ala Lys Thr Pro Arg Asn Thr 835 840 845 Tyr Lys Met Thr Ser Leu Glu Thr Lys Thr Ser Asp Thr Glu Thr Glu 850 855 860 Pro Ser Lys Thr Val Ser Thr Val Asn Arg Ser Gly Arg Ser Thr Glu 865 870 875 880 Phe Arg Asn Ile Gln Lys Leu Pro Val Glu Ser Lys Ser Glu Glu Thr 885 890 895 Asn Thr Glu Ile Val Glu Cys Ile Leu Lys Arg Gly Gln Lys Ala Thr 900 905 910 Leu Leu Gln Gln Arg Arg Glu Gly Glu Met Lys Glu Ile Glu Arg Pro 915 920 925 Phe Glu Thr Tyr Lys Glu Asn Ile Glu Leu Lys Glu Asn Asp Glu Lys 930 935 940 Met Lys Ala Met Lys Arg Ser Arg Thr Trp Gly Gln Lys Cys Ala Pro 945 950 955 960 Met Ser Asp Leu Thr Asp Leu Lys Ser Leu Pro Asp Thr Glu Leu Met 965 970 975 Lys Asp Thr Ala Arg Gly Gln Asn Leu Leu Gln Thr Gln Asp His Ala 980 985 990 Lys Ala Pro Lys Ser Glu Lys Gly Lys Ile Thr Lys Met Pro Cys Gln 995 1000 1005 Ser Leu Gln Pro Glu Pro Ile Asn Thr Pro Thr His Thr Lys Gln Gln 1010 1015 1020 Leu Lys Ala Ser Leu Gly Lys Val Gly Val Lys Glu Glu Leu Leu Ala 1025 1030 1035 1040 Val Gly Lys Phe Thr Arg Thr Ser Gly Glu Thr Thr His Thr His Arg 1045 1050 1055 Glu Pro Ala Gly Asp Gly Lys Ser Ile Arg Thr Phe Lys Glu Ser Pro 1060 1065 1070 Lys Gln Ile Leu Asp Pro Ala Ala Arg Val Thr Gly Met Lys Lys Trp 1075 1080 1085 Pro Arg Thr Pro Lys Glu Glu Ala Gln Ser Leu Glu Asp Leu Ala Gly 1090 1095 1100 Phe Lys Glu Leu Phe Gln Thr Pro Gly Pro Ser Glu Glu Ser Met Thr 1105 1110 1115 1120 Asp Glu Lys Thr Thr Lys Ile Ala Cys Lys Ser Pro Pro Pro Glu Ser 1125 1130 1135 Val Asp Thr Pro Thr Ser Thr Lys Gln Trp Pro Lys Arg Ser Leu Arg 1140 1145 1150 Lys Ala Asp Val Glu Glu Glu Phe Leu Ala Leu Arg Lys Leu Thr Pro 1155 1160 1165 Ser Ala Gly Lys Ala Met Leu Thr Pro Lys Pro Ala Gly Gly Asp Glu 1170 1175 1180 Lys Asp Ile Lys Ala Phe Met Gly Thr Pro Val Gln Lys Leu Asp Leu 1185 1190 1195 1200 Ala Gly Thr Leu Pro Gly Ser Lys Arg Gln Leu Gln Thr Pro Lys Glu 1205 1210 1215 Lys Ala Gln Ala Leu Glu Asp Leu Ala Gly Phe Lys Glu Leu Phe Gln 1220 1225 1230 Thr Pro Gly His Thr Glu Glu Leu Val Ala Ala Gly Lys Thr Thr Lys 1235 1240 1245 Ile Pro Cys Asp Ser Pro Gln Ser Asp Pro Val Asp Thr Pro Thr Ser 1250 1255 1260 Thr Lys Gln Arg Pro Lys Arg Ser Ile Arg Lys Ala Asp Val Glu Gly 1265 1270 1275 1280 Glu Leu Leu Ala Cys Arg Asn Leu Met Pro Ser Ala Gly Lys Ala Met 1285 1290 1295 His Thr Pro Lys Pro Ser Val Gly Glu Glu Lys Asp Ile Ile Ile Phe 1300 1305 1310 Val Gly Thr Pro Val Gln Lys Leu Asp Leu Thr Glu Asn Leu Thr Gly 1315 1320 1325 Ser Lys Arg Arg Pro Gln Thr Pro Lys Glu Glu Ala Gln Ala Leu Glu 1330 1335 1340 Asp Leu Thr Gly Phe Lys Glu Leu Phe Gln Thr Pro Gly His Thr Glu 1345 1350 1355 1360 Glu Ala Val Ala Ala Gly Lys Thr Thr Lys Met Pro Cys Glu Ser Ser 1365 1370 1375 Pro Pro Glu Ser Ala Asp Thr Pro Thr Ser Thr Arg Arg Gln Pro Lys 1380 1385 1390 Thr Pro Leu Glu Lys Arg Asp Val Gln Lys Glu Leu Ser Ala Leu Lys 1395 1400 1405 Lys Leu Thr Gln Thr Ser Gly Glu Thr Thr His Thr Asp Lys Val Pro 1410 1415 1420 Gly Gly Glu Asp Lys Ser Ile Asn Ala Phe Arg Glu Thr Ala Lys Gln 1425 1430 1435 1440 Lys Leu Asp Pro Ala Ala Ser Val Thr Gly Ser Lys Arg His Pro Lys 1445 1450 1455 Thr Lys Glu Lys Ala Gln Pro Leu Glu Asp Leu Ala Gly Trp Lys Glu 1460 1465 1470 Leu Phe Gln Thr Pro Val Cys Thr Asp Lys Pro Thr Thr His Glu Lys 1475 1480 1485 Thr Thr Lys Ile Ala Cys Arg Ser Gln Pro Asp Pro Val Asp Thr Pro 1490 1495 1500 Thr Ser Ser Lys Pro Gln Ser Lys Arg Ser Leu Arg Lys Val Asp Val 1505 1510 1515 1520 Glu Glu Glu Phe Phe Ala Leu Arg Lys Arg Thr Pro Ser Ala Gly Lys 1525 1530 1535 Ala Met His Thr Pro Lys Pro Ala Val Ser Gly Glu Lys Asn Ile Tyr 1540 1545 1550 Ala Phe Met Gly Thr Pro Val Gln Lys Leu Asp Leu Thr Glu Asn Leu 1555 1560 1565 Thr Gly Ser Lys Arg Arg Leu Gln Thr Pro Lys Glu Lys Ala Gln Ala 1570 1575 1580 Leu Glu Asp Leu Ala Gly Phe Lys Glu Leu Phe Gln Thr Arg Gly His 1585 1590 1595 1600 Thr Glu Glu Ser Met Thr Asn Asp Lys Thr Ala Lys Val Ala Cys Lys 1605 1610 1615 Ser Ser Gln Pro Asp Leu Asp Lys Asn Pro Ala Ser Ser Lys Arg Arg 1620 1625 1630 Leu Lys Thr Ser Leu Gly Lys Val Gly Val Lys Glu Glu Leu Leu Ala 1635 1640 1645 Val Gly Lys Leu Thr Gln Thr Ser Gly Glu Thr Thr His Thr His Thr 1650 1655 1660 Glu Pro Thr Gly Asp Gly Lys Ser Met Lys Ala Phe Met Glu Ser Pro 1665 1670 1675 1680 Lys Gln Ile Leu Asp Ser Ala Ala Ser Leu Thr Gly Ser Lys Arg Gln 1685 1690 1695 Leu Arg Thr Pro Lys Gly Lys Ser Glu Val Pro Glu Asp Leu Ala Gly 1700 1705 1710 Phe Ile Glu Leu Phe Gln Thr Pro Ser His Thr Lys Glu Ser Met Thr 1715 1720 1725 Asn Glu Lys Thr Thr Lys Val Ser Tyr Arg Ala Ser Gln Pro Asp Leu 1730 1735 1740 Val Asp Thr Pro Thr Ser Ser Lys Pro Gln Pro Lys Arg Ser Leu Arg 1745 1750 1755 1760 Lys Ala Asp Thr Glu Glu Glu Phe Leu Ala Phe Arg Lys Gln Thr Pro 1765 1770 1775 Ser Ala Gly Lys Ala Met His Thr Pro Lys Pro Ala Val Gly Glu Glu 1780 1785 1790 Lys Asp Ile Asn Thr Phe Leu Gly Thr Pro Val Gln Lys Leu Asp Gln 1795 1800 1805 Pro Gly Asn Leu Pro Gly Ser Asn Arg Arg Leu Gln Thr Arg Lys Glu 1810 1815 1820 Lys Ala Gln Ala Leu Glu Glu Leu Thr Gly Phe Arg Glu Leu Phe Gln 1825 1830 1835 1840 Thr Pro Cys Thr Asp Asn Pro Thr Ala Asp Glu Lys Thr Thr Lys Lys 1845 1850 1855 Ile Leu Cys Lys Ser Pro Gln Ser Asp Pro Ala Asp Thr Pro Thr Asn 1860 1865 1870 Thr Lys Gln Arg Pro Lys Arg Ser Leu Lys Lys Ala Asp Val Glu Glu 1875 1880 1885 Glu Phe Leu Ala Phe Arg Lys Leu Thr Pro Ser Ala Gly Lys Ala Met 1890 1895 1900 His Thr Pro Lys Ala Ala Val Gly Glu Glu Lys Asp Ile Asn Thr Phe 1905 1910 1915 1920 Val Gly Thr Pro Val Glu Lys Leu Asp Leu Leu Gly Asn Leu Pro Gly 1925 1930 1935 Ser Lys Arg Arg Pro Gln Thr Pro Lys Glu Lys Ala Lys Ala Leu Glu 1940 1945 1950 Asp Leu Ala Gly Phe Lys Glu Leu Phe Gln Thr Pro Gly His Thr Glu 1955 1960 1965 Glu Ser Met Thr Asp Asp Lys Ile Thr Glu Val Ser Cys Lys Ser Pro 1970 1975 1980 Gln Pro Asp Pro Val Lys Thr Pro Thr Ser Ser Lys Gln Arg Leu Lys 1985 1990 1995 2000 Ile Ser Leu Gly Lys Val Gly Val Lys Glu Glu Val Leu Pro Val Gly 2005 2010 2015 Lys Leu Thr Gln Thr Ser Gly Lys Thr Thr Gln Thr His Arg Glu Thr 2020 2025 2030 Ala Gly Asp Gly Lys Ser Ile Lys Ala Phe Lys Glu Ser Ala Lys Gln 2035 2040 2045 Met Leu Asp Pro Ala Asn Tyr Gly Thr Gly Met Glu Arg Trp Pro Arg 2050 2055 2060 Thr Pro Lys Glu Glu Ala Gln Ser Leu Glu Asp Leu Ala Gly Phe Lys 2065 2070 2075 2080 Glu Leu Phe Gln Thr Pro Asp His Thr Glu Glu Ser Thr Thr Asp Asp 2085 2090 2095 Lys Thr Thr Lys Ile Ala Cys Lys Ser Pro Pro Pro Glu Ser Met Asp 2100 2105 2110 Thr Pro Thr Ser Thr Arg Arg Arg Pro Lys Thr Pro Leu Gly Lys Arg 2115 2120 2125 Asp Ile Val Glu Glu Leu Ser Ala Leu Lys Gln Leu Thr Gln Thr Thr 2130 2135 2140 His Thr Asp Lys Val Pro Gly Asp Glu Asp Lys Gly Ile Asn Val Phe 2145 2150 2155 2160 Arg Glu Thr Ala Lys Gln Lys Leu Asp Pro Ala Ala Ser Val Thr Gly 2165 2170 2175 Ser Lys Arg Gln Pro Arg Thr Pro Lys Gly Lys Ala Gln Pro Leu Glu 2180 2185 2190 Asp Leu Ala Gly Leu Lys Glu Leu Phe Gln Thr Pro Val Cys Thr Asp 2195 2200 2205 Lys Pro Thr Thr His Glu Lys Thr Thr Lys Ile Ala Cys Arg Ser Pro 2210 2215 2220 Gln Pro Asp Pro Val Gly Thr Pro Thr Ile Phe Lys Pro Gln Ser Lys 2225 2230 2235 2240 Arg Ser Leu Arg Lys Ala Asp Val Glu Glu Glu Ser Leu Ala Leu Arg 2245 2250 2255 Lys Arg Thr Pro Ser Val Gly Lys Ala Met Asp Thr Pro Lys Pro Ala 2260 2265 2270 Gly Gly Asp Glu Lys Asp Met Lys Ala Phe Met Gly Thr Pro Val Gln 2275 2280 2285 Lys Leu Asp Leu Pro Gly Asn Leu Pro Gly Ser Lys Arg Trp Pro Gln 2290 2295 2300 Thr Pro Lys Glu Lys Ala Gln Ala Leu Glu Asp Leu Ala Gly Phe Lys 2305 2310 2315 2320 Glu Leu Phe Gln Thr Pro Gly Thr Asp Lys Pro Thr Thr Asp Glu Lys 2325 2330 2335 Thr Thr Lys Ile Ala Cys Lys Ser Pro Gln Pro Asp Pro Val Asp Thr 2340 2345 2350 Pro Ala Ser Thr Lys Gln Arg Pro Lys Arg Asn Leu Arg Lys Ala Asp 2355 2360 2365 Val Glu Glu Glu Phe Leu Ala Leu Arg Lys Arg Thr Pro Ser Ala Gly 2370 2375 2380 Lys Ala Met Asp Thr Pro Lys Pro Ala Val Ser Asp Glu Lys Asn Ile 2385 2390 2395 2400 Asn Thr Phe Val Glu Thr Pro Val Gln Lys Leu Asp Leu Leu Gly Asn 2405 2410 2415 Leu Pro Gly Ser Lys Arg Gln Pro Gln Thr Pro Lys Glu Lys Ala Glu 2420 2425 2430 Ala Leu Glu Asp Leu Val Gly Phe Lys Glu Leu Phe Gln Thr Pro Gly 2435 2440 2445 His Thr Glu Glu Ser Met Thr Asp Asp Lys Ile Thr Glu Val Ser Cys 2450 2455 2460 Lys Ser Pro Gln Pro Glu Ser Phe Lys Thr Ser Arg Ser Ser Lys Gln 2465 2470 2475 2480 Arg Leu Lys Ile Pro Leu Val Lys Val Asp Met Lys Glu Glu Pro Leu 2485 2490 2495 Ala Val Ser Lys Leu Thr Arg Thr Ser Gly Glu Thr Thr Gln Thr His 2500 2505 2510 Thr Glu Pro Thr Gly Asp Ser Lys Ser Ile Lys Ala Phe Lys Glu Ser 2515 2520 2525 Pro Lys Gln Ile Leu Asp Pro Ala Ala Ser Val Thr Gly Ser Arg Arg 2530 2535 2540 Gln Leu Arg Thr Arg Lys Glu Lys Ala Arg Ala Leu Glu Asp Leu Val 2545 2550 2555 2560 Asp Phe Lys Glu Leu Phe Ser Ala Pro Gly His Thr Glu Glu Ser Met 2565 2570 2575 Thr Ile Asp Lys Asn Thr Lys Ile Pro Cys Lys Ser Pro Pro Pro Glu 2580 2585 2590 Leu Thr Asp Thr Ala Thr Ser Thr Lys Arg Cys Pro Lys Thr Arg Pro 2595 2600 2605 Arg Lys Glu Val Lys Glu Glu Leu Ser Ala Val Glu Arg Leu Thr Gln 2610 2615 2620 Thr Ser Gly Gln Ser Thr His Thr His Lys Glu Pro Ala Ser Gly Asp 2625 2630 2635 2640 Glu Gly Ile Lys Val Leu Lys Gln Arg Ala Lys Lys Lys Pro Asn Pro 2645 2650 2655 Val Glu Glu Glu Pro Ser Arg Arg Arg Pro Arg Ala Pro Lys Glu Lys 2660 2665 2670 Ala Gln Pro Leu Glu Asp Leu Ala Gly Phe Thr Glu Leu Ser Glu Thr 2675 2680 2685 Ser Gly His Thr Gln Glu Ser Leu Thr Ala Gly Lys Ala Thr Lys Ile 2690 2695 2700 Pro Cys Glu Ser Pro Pro Leu Glu Val Val Asp Thr Thr Ala Ser Thr 2705 2710 2715 2720 Lys Arg His Leu Arg Thr Arg Val Gln Lys Val Gln Val Lys Glu Glu 2725 2730 2735 Pro Ser Ala Val Lys Phe Thr Gln Thr Ser Gly Glu Thr Thr Asp Ala 2740 2745 2750 Asp Lys Glu Pro Ala Gly Glu Asp Lys Gly Ile Lys Ala Leu Lys Glu 2755 2760 2765 Ser Ala Lys Gln Thr Pro Ala Pro Ala Ala Ser Val Thr Gly Ser Arg 2770 2775 2780 Arg Arg Pro Arg Ala Pro Arg Glu Ser Ala Gln Ala Ile Glu Asp Leu 2785 2790 2795 2800 Ala Gly Phe Lys Asp Pro Ala Ala Gly His Thr Glu Glu Ser Met Thr 2805 2810 2815 Asp Asp Lys Thr Thr Lys Ile Pro Cys Lys Ser Ser Pro Glu Leu Glu 2820 2825 2830 Asp Thr Ala Thr Ser Ser Lys Arg Arg Pro Arg Thr Arg Ala Gln Lys 2835 2840 2845 Val Glu Val Lys Glu Glu Leu Leu Ala Val Gly Lys Leu Thr Gln Thr 2850 2855 2860 Ser Gly Glu Thr Thr His Thr Asp Lys Glu Pro Val Gly Glu Gly Lys 2865 2870 2875 2880 Gly Thr Lys Ala Phe Lys Gln Pro Ala Lys Arg Asn Val Asp Ala Glu 2885 2890 2895 Asp Val Ile Gly Ser Arg Arg Gln Pro Arg Ala Pro Lys Glu Lys Ala 2900 2905 2910 Gln Pro Leu Glu Asp Leu Ala Ser Phe Gln Glu Leu Ser Gln Thr Pro 2915 2920 2925 Gly His Thr Glu Glu Leu Ala Asn Gly Ala Ala Asp Ser Phe Thr Ser 2930 2935 2940 Ala Pro Lys Gln Thr Pro Asp Ser Gly Lys Pro Leu Lys Ile Ser Arg 2945 2950 2955 2960 Arg Val Leu Arg Ala Pro Lys Val Glu Pro Val Gly Asp Val Val Ser 2965 2970 2975 Thr Arg Asp Pro Val Lys Ser Gln Ser Lys Ser Asn Thr Ser Leu Pro 2980 2985 2990 Pro Leu Pro Phe Lys Arg Gly Gly Gly Lys Asp Gly Ser Val Thr Gly 2995 3000 3005 Thr Lys Arg Leu Arg Cys Met Pro Ala Pro Glu Glu Ile Val Glu Glu 3010 3015 3020 Leu Pro Ala Ser Lys Lys Gln Arg Val Ala Pro Arg Ala Arg Gly Lys 3025 3030 3035 3040 Ser Ser Glu Pro Val Val Ile Met Lys Arg Ser Leu Arg Thr Ser Ala 3045 3050 3055 Lys Arg Ile Glu Pro Ala Glu Glu Leu Asn Ser Asn Asp Met Lys Thr 3060 3065 3070 Asn Lys Glu Glu His Lys Leu Gln Asp Ser Val Pro Glu Asn Lys Gly 3075 3080 3085 Ile Ser Leu Arg Ser Arg Arg Gln Asp Lys Thr Glu Ala Glu Gln Gln 3090 3095 3100 Ile Thr Glu Val Phe Val Leu Ala Glu Arg Ile Glu Ile Asn Arg Asn 3105 3110 3115 3120 Glu Lys Lys Pro Met Lys Thr Ser Pro Glu Met Asp Ile Gln Asn Pro 3125 3130 3135 Asp Asp Gly Ala Arg Lys Pro Ile Pro Arg Asp Lys Val Thr Glu Asn 3140 3145 3150 Lys Arg Cys Leu Arg Ser Ala Arg Gln Asn Glu Ser Ser Gln Pro Lys 3155 3160 3165 Val Ala Glu Glu Ser Gly Gly Gln Lys Ser Ala Lys Val Leu Met Gln 3170 3175 3180 Asn Gln Lys Gly Lys Gly Glu Ala Gly Asn Ser Asp Ser Met Cys Leu 3185 3190 3195 3200 Arg Ser Arg Lys Thr Lys Ser Gln Pro Ala Ala Ser Thr Leu Glu Ser 3205 3210 3215 Lys Ser Val Gln Arg Val Thr Arg Ser Val Lys Arg Cys Ala Glu Asn 3220 3225 3230 Pro Lys Lys Ala Glu Asp Asn Val Cys Val Lys Lys Ile Thr Thr Arg 3235 3240 3245 Ser His Arg Asp Ser Glu Asp Ile 3250 3255 10 136 PRT Homo Sapiens 10 Met Ala Arg Thr Lys Gln Thr Ala Arg Lys Ser Thr Gly Gly Lys Ala 1 5 10 15 Pro Arg Lys Gln Leu Ala Thr Lys Ala Ala Arg Lys Ser Ala Pro Ser 20 25 30 Thr Gly Gly Val Lys Lys Pro His Arg Tyr Arg Pro Gly Thr Val Ala 35 40 45 Leu Arg Glu Ile Arg Arg Tyr Gln Lys Ser Thr Glu Leu Leu Ile Arg 50 55 60 Lys Leu Pro Phe Gln Arg Leu Val Arg Glu Ile Ala Gln Asp Phe Lys 65 70 75 80 Thr Asp Leu Arg Phe Gln Ser Ala Ala Ile Gly Ala Leu Gln Glu Ala 85 90 95 Ser Glu Ala Tyr Leu Val Gly Leu Phe Glu Asp Thr Asn Leu Cys Ala 100 105 110 Ile His Ala Lys Arg Val Thr Ile Met Pro Lys Asp Ile Gln Leu Ala 115 120 125 Arg Arg Ile Arg Gly Glu Arg Ala 130 135 11 277 PRT Homo Sapiens 11 Met Glu Asn Thr Glu Asn Ser Val Asp Ser Lys Ser Ile Lys Asn Leu 1 5 10 15 Glu Pro Lys Ile Ile His Gly Ser Glu Ser Met Asp Ser Gly Ile Ser 20 25 30 Leu Asp Asn Ser Tyr Lys Met Asp Tyr Pro Glu Met Gly Leu Cys Ile 35 40 45 Ile Ile Asn Asn Lys Asn Phe His Lys Ser Thr Gly Met Thr Ser Arg 50 55 60 Ser Gly Thr Asp Val Asp Ala Ala Asn Leu Arg Glu Thr Phe Arg Asn 65 70 75 80 Leu Lys Tyr Glu Val Arg Asn Lys Asn Asp Leu Thr Arg Glu Glu Ile 85 90 95 Val Glu Leu Met Arg Asp Val Ser Lys Glu Asp His Ser Lys Arg Ser 100 105 110 Ser Phe Val Cys Val Leu Leu Ser His Gly Glu Glu Gly Ile Ile Phe 115 120 125 Gly Thr Asn Gly Pro Val Asp Leu Lys Lys Ile Thr Asn Phe Phe Arg 130 135 140 Gly Asp Arg Cys Arg Ser Leu Thr Gly Lys Pro Lys Leu Phe Ile Ile 145 150 155 160 Gln Ala Cys Arg Gly Thr Glu Leu Asp Cys Gly Ile Glu Thr Asp Ser 165 170 175 Gly Val Asp Asp Asp Met Ala Cys His Lys Ile Pro Val Asp Ala Asp 180 185 190 Phe Leu Tyr Ala Tyr Ser Thr Ala Pro Gly Tyr Tyr Ser Trp Arg Asn 195 200 205 Ser Lys Asp Gly Ser Trp Phe Ile Gln Ser Leu Cys Ala Met Leu Lys 210 215 220 Gln Tyr Ala Asp Lys Leu Glu Phe Met His Ile Leu Thr Arg Val Asn 225 230 235 240 Arg Lys Val Ala Thr Glu Phe Glu Ser Phe Ser Phe Asp Ala Thr Phe 245 250 255 His Ala Lys Lys Gln Ile Pro Cys Ile Val Ser Met Leu Thr Lys Glu 260 265 270 Leu Tyr Phe Tyr His 275 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for identifying a mammalian glioma tumor that is likely to respond, or is responsive to an EGFR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 7) inhibitor or an mTOR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 2) inhibitor, the method comprising examining a sample obtained from the tumor for: (a) the expression of PTEN polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 5); and the presence of at least one of, (b) phosphorylated S6 ribosomal polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1); (c) EGFR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 7) (d) phosphorylated AKT polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 4); and (e) phosphorylated ERK polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 8) wherein decreased expression of PTEN polypeptide together with decreased phosphorylation of S6 ribosomal polypeptide in the sample, as compared to a control, identifies the glioma tumor as likely to respond or responsive to an mTOR inhibitor, and wherein decreased expression an of PTEN together with normal phosphorylation of S6 ribosomal polypeptide in the sample, as compared to a control, identifies the glioma tumor as not likely to respond or unresponsive to an mTOR inhibitor, and wherein normal or increased expression of PTEN and increased expression and/or activity of EGFR together with increased phosphorylation of AKT and/or phosphorylation of ERK identifies the glioma tumor as not likely to respond and/or unresponsive to an EGFR inhibitor.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the phosphorylation of S6 ribosomal polypeptide is determined subsequent to contacting the tumor or sample with an mTOR inhibitor.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the phosphorylation of AKT and/or ERK is determined subsequent to contacting the tumor or sample with an EGFR inhibitor.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the mTOR inhibitor is rapamycin, SDZ-RAD, CCI-779, RAD 001, or AP23573.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the EGFR inhibitor is ZD-1839, OSI-774, PD-153053, PD-168393, IMC-C225 or CI-1033.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the expression of one or more of (a)-(e) is examined using an antibody.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the presence of phosphorylated S6 ribosomal polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1) is examined using an antibody that binds an epitope comprising a phosphorylated serine residue at position 235 in SEQ ID NO:
 1. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the presence of EGFR and PTEN are examined using an EGFR-specific antibody and PTEN-specific antibody, respectively.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the presence of phosphorylated AKT (SEQ ID NO: 4) is examined using an antibody that binds an epitope comprising a phosphorylated serine residue at position 473 in SEQ ID NO:
 4. 10. The method of claim 6, wherein the presence of phosphorylated ERK is examined using an antibody that binds an epitope comprising a phosphorylated threonine residue at position 202 or a phosphorylated tyrosine residue at position 204 in SEQ ID NO:
 8. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the glioma tumor is a glioblastoma multiforme tumor.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample is a paraffin embedded biopsy sample.
 13. A method for identifying a mammalian glioma tumor that does not express a PTEN polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 5) and which is likely to respond or is responsive to an inhibitor of mTOR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 2) activity, the method comprising examining a sample obtained from the tumor for the presence of phosphorylated S6 ribosomal polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1) after contacting the tumor or the sample with the inhibitor, wherein, an observable decrease in phosphorylated S6 ribosomal polypeptide in the sample, as compared to a control that is not contacted with the inhibitor identifies the glioma tumor as likely to respond or responsive to the inhibitor, and wherein no observable decrease in phosphorylated S6 ribosomal polypeptide in the sample, as compared to a control identifies the glioma tumor as not likely to respond or unresponsive to the inhibitor.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the glioma tumor is glioblastoma multiforme.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the glioma is identified a tumor that does not express a PTEN polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 5) using an antibody that binds the PTEN polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 5).
 16. A method for identifying a mammalian glioma tumor that expresses a PTEN polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 5) and which is not likely to respond or is nonresponsive to an inhibitor of EGFR polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 7) activity, the method comprising examining a sample obtained from the tumor for the presence of EGFR (SEQ ID NO: 7) and the presence of a phosphorylated AKT polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 4) or the presence of a phosphorylated ERK polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 8), after contacting the tumor or the sample with the inhibitor, wherein an increase in the levels of the EGFR polypeptide and the levels of phosphorylated AKT polypeptide or phosphorylated ERK polypeptide identifies the glioma tumor as not likely to respond or nonresponsive to the inhibitor.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the a sample obtained from the tumor is examined for the presence of a phosphorylated AKT polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 4) and the presence of a phosphorylated ERK polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 8).
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the glioma tumor is glioblastoma multiforme.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the glioma is identified a tumor that expresses a PTEN polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 5) using an antibody that binds the PTEN polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 5).
 20. A kit for characterizing a mammalian glioma tumor or cell, the kit comprising: (a) an antibody that binds PTEN (SEQ ID NO: 5); and one or more of the following: (b) an antibody that binds phosphorylated S6 ribosomal polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1); (c) an antibody that binds EFGR (SEQ ID NO: 7); (d) an antibody that binds phosphorylated AKT (SEQ ID NO: 4); and (e) an antibody that binds phosphorylated ERK (SEQ ID NO: 8).
 21. The kit of claim 20, wherein the kit comprises a plurality of antibodies selected from the group consisting of (b)-(e).
 22. The kit of claim 20, wherein: the antibody of (b) is specific for S6 ribosomal polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 1) having a phosphorylated serine residue at position 235 in SEQ ID NO: 1; the antibody of (d) is specific for AKT (SEQ ID NO: 4) having a phosphorylated serine residue at position 473 in SEQ ID NO: 4; and the antibody of (e) is specific for ERK having a phosphorylated threonine residue at position 202 and tyrosine 204 in SEQ ID NO:
 8. 23. The kit of claim 20, wherein the kit further includes an antibody that binds Ki-67 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 9), p-H3 histone polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 10) or caspase-3 polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 11).
 24. The kit of claim 20, wherein the kit further includes; and at least one secondary antibody that binds to an antibody (a)-(e). 